The National tribune., 1902-10-02

'It be great night for owls" declared
the Forester, speaking to Lohn Stark, who
was reloading his weapon from his covert,
with such unexpectedness that he gave n
quick start and uttered an involuntary ex-
clamation, for which he was heartily
ashamed. But the time had been so short.
and the scout had approached so silently
that he could not have been blamed for
displaying temporary loss of self-posses-
sion. The next words of the Forester
showed that he felt the truth of this:
''Chide not thyself, lad. You ne'er need
be ashamed O that shot, and now we
must be stirring, for the reds are all about,
man III get to the birch with this peram-
bulation. This sort O trailing is lasting
loverlong."
AS if in answer to his thoughts, low
whistle cut the air in the peculiar tone Of
the strange fugitive. This had scarcely
ended before the boots of two owls, neith-
er far away, but beyond our scouts, fol-
lowed.
His trail is crossed and cris-crossed
with red-feet," whispered the Forester.
1.-The amazement is nigh. 1t can do no
hurt to let him know where We be, though
that firing oughter .ell him We are not a
long foot away"
Acting under this reasoning he gave ex-
preston to an answering whistle, when
cries, one of them close by our twain.
John Stark had now reloaded his firearm,
and he followed his companion on another
stage of their perilous journey through the
now silent woods. They soon caught the
CLEAN of water through the foliage, and
knew that they were approaching the river,
whose sullen roar had been growing plain
er to them for the last few minutes.
| 'The birch must be above here and it
will puzzle the old man to reach it. Hark
they've found him"
A medley Of cries at that moment was
heard, and then above these outcries came
the report of firearms and the scream Of n
woman. Follow me, lad, and Wen show
| the varmints the upper hand"
Still creeping under the cover of the
small bushes, he led the way for a couple
of rods, pausing this time near the scene
Of the fight, lighted at intervals by the
| flashes of the weapons in the hands Of the
red men. The fugitive man had been un-
armed, and singularly enough he seemed
| again to have escaped the Indians, who
had attacked the coppice ahead to find that
| it was empty.
''The old chap and woman are below"
| whispered the Forester. Creep around
the hedge there and help 'em to the canoe,
| and Ill hold the yarinints back"
Then, as his companion started on his
perilOus route, the woOdsman began to ad-
vance ut an angle with the supposed covert
OF the red men. However, he had not
gone half dozen yards before he was
aware of the close proximity Of several
OF the red men, while a sharp cry from
one OF them told that he had been discov-
cred. This howl Of the Indian proved his
sentence Of death, for it betrayed his loca-
ton, and the report Of Taconica's redoubt-
| able "Old Danger" answered him. A
moment later dozen bullets whistled
about the spot where the scout had lain
at the time Of firing. but he very dis
creetly had taken swift leave Of the place,
and before his enemies had found out
their mistake he was in an opposite d.
rection. "Old Danger" again charged, and
himself waiting for another chance to open
fire. But at this moment most unlocked
for event occurred. This was simply her
aided by the sharp scream of a panther,
not pleasant note, and any other ear
must have given ii no heed. But the stern
features of the Forester suddenly relaxed,
as he gave reply with two screams of the
same animal, murmuring under his
breath:
ut be timely coming O. the Chief"
Meanwhile John Stark had not been in
active by any means, but he was now close
to the thicket where he expected to find
the fugitives. The firing between his
friend and the Indians had told him that
the battle had opened, and he knew by
the yell of the savage that "Old Danger "
as usual, had not spoken in vain. He
could hear the enemies all about him, and
without delay he called to the couple
trembling in fear and hopelessness.
who is it!" asked a woman's voice.
"a friend" replied the young scout
"Quick--for the river-follow mev'