Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-04-12
CHAPTER XIV.

had not only explored the sacred caverns,
but had found way through them which
led them undiscovered to his valley home.
The refugees now had a double adVan-
tage-they were in an impregnable fast
ness, and could reach the caverns when
they liked. and thence watch their red
enemies.
The next morning, with the aid of Hal
pah, and the herders, the Colonel trans
ported all the food and other supplies
into an immense cave near the house.
Two COWS were brought over from the
corral to supply milk for the children.
and Mary and Nancy Muir announced
their purpose to attend to the feeding
and milking. When everything had been
done that prudence could suggest for the
defense Of the cave and the support Of
its occupants, the thoughts Of the leaders
were again directed to the missing.
They knew that it would be folly to
think of attacking the swarming Indians.
Whatever was accomplished must be
done by superior tact and intelligence,
and it may be added, superior endurance;
for all conditions and training being
equal, the pale face can sustain longer
and more persistent physical effort than
the red man.
Mr. Costello was anxious to be off on
the search for his boys, but he was as
unselfsh as he was daring, and he had In
a marked degree the fine soldierly quality
Of obedience to those whom he had given
the right to command.
With the immigrants and the herders
Mr.. Costello would have twenty-three
rifles in the cave, and with the advantage
of his position, he could, so long as the
provisions lasted, set an army at defiance.
After much consultation it was decided
that the search party should consist Of
Gen. Greyson, Col. Leroy and the In
dian Halpah.
Tony begged to be permitted to go, but
his master soothed him by assuring him
that if he left, the Leroys, as hosts,
would have no representative with their
many guests, and that without him the
food could not be properly. cooked.
Provided with torches, the three men
retraced their route through the caves,
Halpah leading, and conducting them by
easier and shorter passages. After three
hours rapid walking they were again on
the cliffs at the northern entrance to the
cave, and Gen. Greyson, through his
glass, was scanning the valley, yesterday
filled with the white tepees of the Sioux.
The Indians. with their women and chill
dren and herds. had vanished.
I'VE know where many of the war
riors are" said Col. Leroy, who had been
searching through his field glass; but
to learn about the prisoners-if indeed
they be prisoners-we must get in sight
of their village
Tzrbn h0f
isl"
mo; it might be in any one of the
hundred valleys that nestle in these
mountains wherever you turn"
While they were talking, Halpah, IN
aided by any artificial aid to vision, was
securing with eagle glance all the sur
rounding elevations.
"Hah!' he exclaimed, taking a forward
step, and shading his eyes.
what is it?" asked his master, Gag
erly.
"a signal"
"Where?"
con the mountain to the NORTH" replied
Halpah.
The two white men turned their glasses
in that direction, but saw only the low
en- line Of timber, the middle belt Of SHIN
mering rocks, and the white caps on the
snowy peaks.
"You are sure you see signal?' said
Gen. Greyson, handing Halpah his glass.
Hist! 1 am reading it," said Halpah,
motioning the glass away.
Again the white men turned their
glasses in the direction indicated by the
unerring black eyes, and they saw sill
very puffs or jets rising from far-of
rock, but melting almost instantaneously.
''Who is signalling?" asked Gen. Grey
son.
The Unca-pah-pahs," replied Halpah,
without turning his head or altering his
intense gaze.
"Whirlwind's band"
'"They are searching for prisoners who
have escaped" said Halpah, leaping to
his feet and pressing his hands to his
eyes, for the signals had ceased.
"Prisonersw exclaimed the white men.
Eyes"
'grhen they must be our peoplew
"The signals say that four white men
are moving towards the home Of the
mountain spirit"
"Our valley?" interrupted Col. Leroy.
eyes"
"Then we can thank God! They still
livew said Gen. Greyson, raising his hat
and lifting his eyes to the sky.
Il feel you are right" said the colonel.
"And if they are coming this way they
will need our assistance
'"They must come through the Red
Pass, or over the valley where the Sioux
were yesterday in camp said Halpah.
Wherever their friends We're, it was
evident to all that they needed aid. Let
ting Halpah take the lead, they started
with all speed for the valley.
Go be continued.)