The National tribune., 1902-09-18
THE WOLF STALKER.
(Consi.usd from first pags.)

to keep canoe from tipping: run smooth.
Come from gap between the hills, in
| track of straight wind; same way of white
canoe. because wind blow it here"
"A clear title, Chief. Where's the
mother!"
Gone North, it may be. with the
Ameriscoggins; go to st. Francis.
II have no argument with which to
previcate the truth O what you say,
Chief. Hark, lads. do my oil ears de
ceive me, or is that n step in the growth!
Neither of the Stark brothers had de
tccted any sound, but the Chief quickly
said:
Phillip hear him. He''-
The Sokokis did not finish his speech.
as at that moment sharp fash of light
made by exploding powder near at hand
closely followed by the whistle of bullet
and the report of a gun suddenly changed
the peaceful aspect of the scene. He
had inclined his body slightly forward in
the act of moving toward the forest
which movement left the ball to speed so
close to his head that it brought a drop
of blood from the tip of his ear. Ex-
pcctng to he attacked by Il body of enc
mics. the little party of whites instantly
became aroused to a sense of The danger
of their situation. The Forester laid the
child swiftly back into the canoe, saying
to his young companions:
Quick, lads! into the canoe. Push
out into the pond. The Chief and / will
unravel the amnZement.'
This was spoken i'll low, hurried
tone. and as he finished the Forester
followed Philip, who had already darted
silently into the cover of the forest. The
Youths lost no time in entering the ca
noes, William and Tom Bradley taking
their own canoe, while John Stark push
cd out from the shore Ia the strange
canoe which carried the unknown child.
All this was done in less time than it
has taken to describe it, and the young
hunters were beyond gun-range out Oh
the pond, where they came to stop i'll Or
der to await developments OH the land.
Not Il sound of alarm had followed the
mysterious shot. which had come so near
costing the life of Philip. the friendly
Chief, and Il silence rcigned now that
gave no indication of what was taking
place under the shadows of the forest.
The child began to cry again, and fear
full of the consequence if she should con-
tinue, John Stark, who had brought his
canoe alongside of the other. though h.
had no paddle. asked William to pass !;
IOrtion of the fire-cured meat from the
wallet in the bottom of that canoe. No
sooner had the little one been offered this
than she became again silent, so the
three anxious youths gave their entire
attention 10 watching and hearkening for
some sign of their friends. Five minutes
must have passed in this manner, when
the tall figure of the Forester appeared
1T the waters edge, and beckoned to
them.
William Stark began to send his canoe
,api,tly in that direction. while his broth
or prudently remained where he was. In
answer to the formers inquiry as he
reached the shore, the Forester shook his
head. saying. simply:
1t he a curious knot to unite. Mebbe
the Chief, whose step ! ketch, can I'M
ravel it. How floats the stick, Chief?'
he asked. Philip a moment later ap-
peared on the scene, showing uncommon
excitement for him.
Wolf dcvil.' declared the red man,
terseiy. 'Oid Indians say iic come some
time; woe then to the red men,
The Forester seemed u understand,
and he asked
Get near him. Chief? I must low
| could not get my clumsy feet in sound
y him.
Near enough replied the Sokokis.
shaking his head, adding: HE man
nor feast-hc dcvil"'
Chief. ] know you for a brave red
who ne'er showed rabbits ear to a
friend. bat ne'er see you SO leaf-limbed,
swan 1 neer did. l wish it had been
itit w SlSHt Hlli. ID. w uOes ne
rerambuatc?"
''Yonder," replied the Chief, pointing
toward the mountains.
That counts for me not signing him, it
does But it be leetle to our credit O.
discretion that we stand here like quails
on one foot. Mebbe we'd better cross
the water. lads, and from yon vantage
ground we'll sean this adjustment. Go
with us, Chief!''
ha ~
'That's goOdish bit O news. And the
babe seems providentially quiet, which
be in our favor"
Acting upon this suggestion the two
scouts stepped into the canoe, and a little
later reached the spot where John Stark
was waiting for them. Contentedly suck
ing the piece of meat, happily unconscious
of the peril Overhanging its young life,
the little founding lay at the young hun
ter's feet without making any disturbance.
The Forester entered this canoe, and
while his companion, with n paddle bor
rowcd from the other craft, sent the ca
noe swiftly in the wake of that pro-
relled by his brother. he kept a close
watch over the shore fading behind them
Philip, on the other hand, sat in the bow
of the other canoe, maintaining as care
full Il survey Of the scene ahead, casting.
ever and anon. furtive glances toward
the forest holding his NEST mysterious
foe.
Nothing was spoken by any of the little
party until the opposite shore was reach
ed, mt il point considerably to the south
Of Il direct line across the body of water
No alarm had come of any danger either
in their track or in the forest that form
ed IL dark fringe on this side of the pond.
so they might well have considered them
selves the only occupants of the lonely
scene.
A short consultation was held; during
which it was decided that William Stark
and Tom Bradley, accompanied by the
Forester and John Stark until it should |
be deemed safe for the others to pro-
coed alone, should go with the child to |
the lower settlements, warning the pi- |
oneers on their way. The Forester and |
John were to scout the woods in the |
hope of finding something OF the parents |
of the founding who had fallen into |
their care. Philip was to keep on, as |
he had started, to warn the settlers in the |
Connecticut Valley.
Il opine it will be best to do this
said Taconca when this Autumn gale |
shall have spent its fury you can look |
after your furs, sons O. Stark, but first it |
be our duty to see that the leete one is |
given sich care as we can. The babe be
troublesome charge, lads, and the sooner
it be placed in wOman's hands the better.
Will you do this, William?"
'If you think l can, Forester"
The action of Philip, who had fixed |
his gaze upon some object out on the
water, now caught the attention of his