Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-05-10
CHAPTER XVIII.-(Continued)

How can he help it?'
He has a power you know not of.
Before they learn that he is a man he
rwill be free, if we are watchful," said
91alpah, with assuring confidence.
~ pray you may not be mistaken. But
pt will not do for US to remain here.
III we cannot help the men down there,
paid Guide Whitman, pointing to the
smoke columns, I'VE must see what can
be done to aid the fugitives."
That's the talk said Mike Costello.
1--WE must be doing something to get out
OF this trouble, for if we don't I'll go
stark, staring mad"
81 think" said Ned, that if we had
some of the men from the caves that it
would be a help. If my father knew how
we are fixed he'd not let grass grow I'M
der his feet till he was with US, and
dozen good rif1emen behind him."
How many men could guard that
saver asked Guide Whitman, address
ing Bertram.
'"Ten could do it as we'll as a hundred"
WAS the reply.
Turning to Halpah, Guide Whitman
asked:
''Do you think you can reach the caves
alone?"
81 am sure 1 can
How long will it take you"
Even if this horse breaks down, l can
De there before the sun SETS"
Good"
"Guide Whitman wrote in q blank
Book that the superstitious Indians had
Eeft with him:
ITO Mr. COstillO-Your sons and Ber-
tram Leroy are safe with me and free
from the Indians. We know where Gen.
Greyson and Col. Leroy are, but We can
mot reach them at this time. Miss Elem
ang and Miss Jennie Greyson have made
aheir escape with st. Armand and an
INDIAN girl They are some hours journey
10 the west.
I'VE want you or Jack Muir to come to
our assistance, with one-half the rides
at your Command-provided the men who
uemain back feel confident OF defending
Ehe women and children in the caves.
ROBERT WHITMAN"
Guide Whitman read this aloud and
asked Halpah if he understood it.
You do not want the people in the
caves to know that my master and Gen.
Greyson are priSonersT'
II do not. Halpah. 1t is better to keep
IRON them the knowledge of misfortune
shat would make them very unhappy
without doing any good"
The Indian youth folded up the paper,
mnCi secured it in his cartridge pouch;
hhen he solemnly shook hands with the
-four young white men, taking Bertram's
hand the last and pressing it to his lips
with an expression Of alteration. Tie
ahrew himself on the horse with a quick
mess and grace that would be a revela-
Eion to those who depend on stirrups 20
reach the saddle, and waving his hand
he sped along the hillside like the eagle
cleaying the air above his head.
Both Guide Whitman and Bertram Lee
roy knew the country to the west far
Beyond the hunting grounds of the Sioux
Ehe former having traversed it to where
fhe mighty Columbia pours its flood into
earth's greatest sea. Being on foot,
Enough they might not be able to travel
as fast as if they were riding fresh
horses over the level. they could traverse
Broken spaces, and remain concealed, if
necessary, with greater certainty.
AS they went on they could see on the
plateau. away beneath the ridge on which
they were travelling, horSemen gallopipg
an the same direction. At times the
Indians could be seen signaling, and Ber-
tram, who was versed in all the Sioux
methods and signs. stopped to read them.
He made out that st. Armand and
Mou-nah, with the two white girls, were
still to the west. and uncaptured. From
the signals it was evident that the In
k1ians were confident Of speedy success;
and this fact caused the young men to
increase their speed, though it seemed
Ahat they were already testing their pow
sers to the utmost limits Of human effort
anil endurance.
They reached the wall of the amphithe-
sheater that surrounded the fountains,
sails and boiling springs without attract
ing the attention of the Sioux, Of whom
they never lost sight. Had they been
discovered the Indians would have sig
nailed the fact, and Bertram would have
read the signs.
At sight of the steam rising up from
this marvellous place. Mike and Ned Cos
4illo drew back in alarm. But they com
pressed their lips and resolved to follow
aheir leader and ask no questions.
They passed over ground so hot that
ct burned through the soles of their shoes
and became painful. At times they were
~nyeloped in whirling clouds of steam.
Aotter and more suffocating than a Rus
alan bath. They passed so near to spout
sng geysers that the wind-blown spray
drenched them. They leaped clear, cool
streams, through which flashed the timid
arout.
They followed down the bed of the
stream. and they saw the imprint of I'M
&hod hoofs and the tracks of Sioux moe
easius, They felt certain now that they
were on the trail.
They saw a wide expanse of water in
Tcout. aud Guide Whitman knew it as
white Swan Lake" He was about to
Sead down the west side when a yell rang
Sat from the woods, to the right. ac
Hompanied by shower of arrows and
Bullets
Directly in front, and not one hundred