Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-01-13
CHAPTER XXI.
A Weasel CaDtiVe.

and Follett had reached point at
which one or the other must soon
yield. The trapper, fighting on the
defensive, fought desperately, having
released his grasp upon the Cana
dams throat and drawn his knife.
But the half-breed was more desper-
ate. With the Lord of the Desert now
his enemy, his only hope was in rem
dering such service for Egan that the
latter would accept him into his band
of marauders, a life that he really
coveted When the trapper released
his throat he seized the trapper's
hand as it drew the knife from the
sheath and each, now on equal terms,
struggled desperately.
The right hand of each c1asped an
ugly knife, while the left Of each
held the others right wrist with
vice-like grip. 1t was now a question
of strength and physical endurance.
The one who first weakened would
forfeit his life! The trapper would
not take life wantonly, but would
take it if necessary, and now stirred
to his uttermost only waited the op-
portunity to plunge his weapon to
the hilt in his antagonists breast.
Time and again a half-triumphant
smile passed over the dark face Of
the half-breed as he thought he saw
the trapper weakening. 1t was
battle royal. Neither Of these men
had ever been defeated in single
combat One had fought with the
f1ercest animals of the desert, and the
other had battled with the blood
thirstiest of men. Both in the prime
Of life and possessing unflinching
courage. such an encounter would
have been a prize-winner in the
arenas of old.
A cat-like movement of the half
breed and the trapper dropped to his
knee A sudden lurch and a smile
came over the face of the Canadian
as he thought the battle was about to
end in his favor! But the trapper
was as firm as the deep-set rocks
about him. He rose like Samson,
backed his antagonist against boui-
der by the trail, and grasping the
half-breed's wrist which held the
murderous knife, until the bones
fairly ground together, he began
slowly to force the point of his knife
to the Canadians breast as the latter
began to weaken and give way.
It was then that the shout: whats
up there?-surrendera upon your
l1V0S! came.
General Crook ard squad of
picked scouts had been out on a re-
connoiterinC expedition. and while on
their return to the fort had. come
upon the combatants, who we're too
busily engaged to hear them ap-
proach.
There was but one thing to do and
that was to obey orders. Each at
tempted to explain himself. but the
stern old soldier ordered them 'for-
ward!" and told them they could ex-
plain at the fort.
It was after midnight when they
reached the fort. General Crook had
the two prisoners brought to his
quarters. The half-breed succeeded
in getting the generals ear first. He
explained that Martin Lyle, known
as the Lord of the Desert, was be
sieged in his home by large band
of Indians and that he had escaped
through their lines and was on his
way to the fort to ask for relief when
he was assaulted, from the roadside
by the trapper.
Hammersley was non-plussed. It
came his turn to explain. but being
a man of veracity he did not know
how to meet liar. But he related
his story in straightforward man
ner without comment, and remember
ing the message from the Lord Of the
Desert, he drew it forth and handed
it to the general
Both stories seem to be straight
said General Crook, "but No. 1 is
dark enough to have Indian blood in
him and this being the case the bur
den of proof is cast upon him. But
thnro hnth in cofn-1ynQn-
ing until morning and we will take
them along with us to the Stone
House they tell about and let this
Lord of the Desert identify his mes
senger."
Immediately upon the departure of
the guard with the prisoners, General
Crook gave orders for the prepara-
ton of ten days rations for one COM
pany of soldiers, and ordered the
march to begin at daybreak the. next
morning.
Shortly after the departure of the
guard and the prisoners the shout
"halti" then a g,Inshot, followed by
several others, was heard.
what means tlis?" asked the gen
eral of staff officer as he rushed to
the door.
In a few minutes strong guard
appeared with Dan Follett. two stall
wart soldiers on either side of the |
Canadian holding him fast.
What does this mean?" inquired
General Crook.
"Just as we had unlocked the door
of the guard-house," replied the Off
Ger with salute, "this prisoner drew
knife like flash, stabbed the near
est guard and made break for lib
erty, and had he not run into the
arms of detachment of soldiers who
were on their way to bed, he would
have made good his escape"
Search him to the skin. place him
in irons and release the other pris-
oner!" promptly ordered the general.
'T might have known that that In
dian was a liar!" said the old war
rior to himself.
The general was about half un-
dressed and was hurrying to bed in
order to get a little sleep before the
early morning march when he was
disturbed again. An officer was adj
mitted who had long been on the
generals staff and who, with IA
with which such association
countenances, said: eve searched