The National tribune., 1902-09-25
THE WOLF STALKER.
Continued from iirst page.)

The WOLF SlALkER.
| Continued from nrst page.)
irregular semi-circle back toward the CEN
trail group Of red men. These, now that
the mush was cooked, had seated them
selves squat upon the ground in circle
about the fire that had been allowed to
die down. Picking up some pieces Of fiat
rocks that the fire had disclosed by burn
ing away the moss, the woman dipped
these into the boiling mass. handing cOu-
Seizing these rude dishes in their grasp
the greedy twain filed their mouths with
the hot stuff, and in a moment even In
dian gravity was thrown to the winds, as
they began to dance wildly about, while
their companions jeered and laughed loud
ly at them in their discontinue. After
grotesQue attempts to free their mouths
Of the burning mess that would persist
in clinging to the very skin, they started
at the top of their speed toward the riv-
er, the merry gibes of the others follow
ing them. Profting by their experience,
the rest were more cautious in the manner
in which they partook Of the simple food.
| The Forester's lips parted with silent
smile, as he watched the curious antics Of
the two Indians.
"What do you make of that whistler"
asked Stark, watching the singular cap
tive, who for the first time had stopped
his whistling, as he gaZed lOngingly at
the food his captors were devourlng with
a greediness that comes after long fasting.
"I'm prone to jedge him lacking in wit.
though it may be he can't speak. Mind
you, he has tongue. But being at lib
erty he may help us out o this amaze
ment. See, he's something more he wants
to know"
This proved to be the truth, for already
| ba haI fn mako hiS arrafic
ments, so as to disarm his captors of sus-
picion, while he gradually drew nearer
the concealed twain. He was whlstllng
again, and this time his tune was listened
to by the scouts with increased interest.
There was more Specification to his notes
this time, and while his resonant took on
wider and deeper scope, he detailed the
coming of body Of armed men who
swept down upon a home. carried off its
| inmates, and gave the dwelling over to the
torch. He then described the separation
of the captors in two bodies, and of the
one about to start on long journey. The
| Forester followed this strange cOmmunlca-
ton with rapt attention, saying as the
song relapsed into its former meaning
| less and unmusical strain:
Il jedge this man and woman are not
from the same settlement. but that she
comes from the Great Meadows. This
band O. reds will perambulate to the north
man to say if l score the right side o
the tree or not"
| In answer to his question the other,
who had by this time reached within
hearing of them, nodded his head, quickly
striking up new tune. which. however,
seemed to have no bearing on the subject
in mind.
'Tn that case what is done must be
done 'arly in the night" Suggested the
scout.
Again he nodded, without stopping his
whistling.
Can you help us?"
For the third time the whistler incln-
ed his bead, changing his tune now so as
to express the following declaration:
1.-THE woman will be bound, but they
will let me be loose. I'll watch for my
opportunity. and when they are all asleep
will free her, and meet you down by the
big rock on the river-bank. There is a
canoe there belonging to the Indians"
This time the Forester nodded, and see
ing the eyes of the Indians were on him,
the other rose to his feet, and began to
dance awkwardly to the time he was
whistling.
"Mebbe he can do what he trails in his
mind" said the Forester, as the other
made the circuit Of the opening before he
finally returned to the midst of his enc
mics. "Peradventure, we can do no beL-
ter than watch and wait. The clouds will
kiver the stars somewhat leetle after
nightfall, and if the old man does not
put off his amaZement till the moon
comes up, the trail will not be overheard
to pick up"
So the twain prepared to remain mac
tive in their ambush until the time should
come for them to take part in the excit-
ing drama. No Noticeable change took
place among the Indians during the brief
remainder of the day. A few seemed to
be busy making some repair about their
weapons, the majority rested idly on the
ground, after having finished their plain
meal, while a few engaged in simple sport,
such as rolling over one another, or in
jumping after the manner of playing
leap-frog.
Then the last beams of the setting sun
glided into the darkening shades of twi.
light, and night set in with a sky full OF
stars half veiled by floating clouds. Hay-
the Indians drew about the campfire in
a circle. They had secured the female
captive, and then wound some deer
thongs about the limbs Of the man. This
couple were placed near the center of the
inclosure made by this living chain. Tive
of the dusky throng took upon themselves
the duty of watchmen, leaving their COM
rades to sleep or not as they chose.
For time the only sound that reached
the ears of the scouts was the steady roar
Of the river rushing along its tortuous
course The discordant notes of the whis-
tier having ceased, while he appeared to
be sleeping as restfully as if lying on some
softer couch than the rock overlaid with
moss. After awhile the bugle of a dis
tant deer came to their ears, which note
was soon answered by others, until the
night welkin rang with the responsive
sounds, now ringing loud and clear. anon
growing softer, fainter, sweeter. Finally
the last of these died away, when a coon
began to bark nearer at hand and then
a second animal of this species replied,
the couple growing more fierce in their
tone, until their bantering suddenly ceased
at the Ominous howl of a nocturnal wolf.
In the course Of couple of hours the
last of these forest serenaders ended their
lonely concerts, and only the sounds of in
animate nature broke the deep stiffness
of the scene. During all of this tedious
waiting the Forester lay prone and mo-
tionless, as if it required no command
over his nerves to remain quiet so long.
Years of life in the wilderness, much of
the time spent on dangerous scouts like
this, and in bush warfare, had schooled
him to be patient and persevering under
whatever circumstances and conditions he
might come. If John Stark grew impa-
tient over this delay, and lOnged to end
the suspense by activity, he was to learn