Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-12-18
Copyright, 1887, by RoBEsT RozNxx's soxa
An rights rassrved
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Lost Found.


valley were making their way along
the trail made in the snow by old Ben
Holton and the Indians.
Can you follow it, Glum? asked
the young man, who was Clarence
Berry.
Kin follow it," he answered.
I travellers followed the trail
until Iney came to where a portion OF
the tracks led up the stream. and
some went across the river. Here
Glum Ralston called a halt. He stood
looking at the footprints in the snow
and shook his great shaggy old head
like one In doubt
wall, want t. tell We I'm a mite
wool-gathered the old man growled,
as he gazed at the footprints. Its
my opinion that wen find the camp
on the other side"
Il see a light" exclaimed Clarence.
Glum Ralston turned his eyes in the
direction indicated and said:
yes; now l see it-now | don't"
ut seems moving about"
There is some one in the valley"
They could not only see light,
but figures moving about, and Clar.
ence added:
'Glum, let us go over there first"
We'll" come on" the old ex-
sailor grunted, and they started over
the frozen river When nearly across
they discovered people running about
in great excitement and loud cries,
mingled with which was the shrek
of female voice. Then came the re-
port of gun, followed by two or three
more in quick succession.
Hot Clarence, git a move on ye-
there's fight over there!' cried Glum
,Ralston, and the two increased their
speed to a run.
We will precede Clarence Berry and
lGlum Ralston to the little camp and
'explain the cause Of excitement.
/, When Lakeland left to send rein.
forcements to kill or capture the old
man from the mountain, whom he was
lquick to perceive was inimical to his
interests, he little dreamed they
would be coming to meet him.
The old man of the mountains, or
hermit, as we have known him, watch
ed Lakeland across the river, but did
not see him meet Cummins. Know
ing it would be some hours before he
would return, he did not consider
haste necessary.
( 1--WE will be gone, my dea: child,
before that man returns" he said, in
a kind. fatherly way, that won tie
heart of the girl.
What do you propose?" she asked
eagerly.
Z, Across this frozen river, the ice Of
which will bear your weight, as
have tested it myself, we will find
deep, dark cavern. Now, we will
lcross the river and leave you
there"
/ "why leave me there? Why not
take me on to Paul?" she asked.
! Because you would be a hindrance
to my rescuing him. No, no! You
must consent to stay in the cavern
or we will have to abandon the pro-
,ject of rescuing Paul"
81 will will do anything"
They began the search for capsules,
lozenges and buttons of compressed
iand dessicated food, which took UP
little space and the weight trifiag
in comparison to the original food.
All this took time, and there came
lone delay after another, until hours
had glided by before they were ready
to depart. At last everything was
lready.
Now, my dear child. we are really
ito go. l hope YOU won't find this
Journey too much for your strength"
] Don't consider that for moment"
"Hark! hear footsteps approach
jingl"
Some one comes!" she gasped.
turning deathly pale.
The men approaching the house
were Lakeland, with Cummins, Allen,
lPadgett and Ambrose. They had seiz-
ed pine knot torches and were creep
ling stealthily toward the tent. The
keen eye of the hermit had seen them
land he hastily formed a little barri-
icade, behind which he crouched,
revolver in each hand.
"Ho, there!" called the hermit cap
tain. Don't advance too near until
you explain what your mission Isl"
MY mission is to get to my tent"
interposed Lakeland. who are ycu
who presumes to take our camp from
us?' II.
Keep Oft"
One Of the men behind Ned fired at
the old captain and the bullet grazed
the top of his cap.
"You got him!" shouted Ned
We've got him this time!" and
struck a blow at his head with his
iknotted stick. The stick fell on the
sled runner and there came a blind
ing flash. stunning report from the
door of the tent. Ned staggered back
and fell to the earth. For a moment
his companions we're appalled,. Tom
Ambrose fired two shots at his cap
tain, but the mutineer was excited
at the death of his companion, and
aimed high.
The hour of vengeance has comet"
an awful voice shouted from the tent,
and another report shook the air, and
Tom Ambrose sank, bullet in his
brain.
This unexpected resistance appalled,
and unneryed Lakeland and his com
panions. who beat a hasty retreat to-
ward the river. They were nearly to
che river bank when two men, leap
sng from the ice, ran toward them,
crying:
Hold! What does this mean? Lack.
land, you here?"
Clarence Berry, I'm undone!"
Then, followed by his men. he ran
up the stream. instead of across it,