The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-26

I Tor an ths scod II IL I 4 might havs sparsd
my pains and saved my breath. Jsnnifsr
broke me In the midst crying out that I
was even now killing the precious minutes:
and so our m-stsrred venture had It's launsh-
ing In the frenued haste that seldom aka
for speed. One small concession I vrunE
out OF his impatience-this with the help Of
Yeatss and the catawba We went back 10
the breakfast camp. rekindled the IRE. and
cooked what We could keep and carry OF the
venison.
In spite Of this delay, Il was yet early In
the forenoon Of that memorable Sunday the
18th Of August, when We set our faces outh-
ward and took up the line OF march to tbs
ford OF the ambushment- BY now thu sky
was wholly overcast and the wind was blow
ing fresher in the tree-tops: but though AZ
yet the storm held on. the air was tbs
cooler for the threatened rain. and this was
truly q blessing. since the old hunter put u
keen upon our mettls to keep pace with
him.
We marched IN Indian nls. Ephraim Ysatss
IN the lead, Uucanoola at his heels. and tHs
two Of Us heavier-footed ones bringing up
tho rear. Knowing the wooded wilderness
by length and breadth, the old man held on
through thick and thin, straight as an ar
row TO the mark; and 50 we had never .
sight Of the road again till we came out
upon 10 suddenly at tbs ford OF violence
Here ! should have been In despair for
the lack Of any ineligible hint to point the
way AlQ Il Illuk H9L even JeunlIeTt WIKI Hi
his woodcrsft, eoEid have read the record OF
the onfaii as Teates and the Cstawba did.
But for all the Overlapping tangie Of mocca-
sin and hoof prints neither Of these men OF
the forest was ct fault. though ten minutes
later sven their skin must have been baf-
lied. inasmuch as the frst few splitting rain
drops were pattertnE In the tree-tops when
we CANE upon the ground.
That's Jest about what I was most afeard
ef." said the bcrderer. with q hasty glance
skyvsrd. Down on your K
q. sO oa' L ieP % taxes ssa' to eni sending atsn AiS hin
rain on the jsst and the u~nJest." and therez
with these two fell to Quartering all thsR
ground liks trained dogs nosirg for ~
scent.
ard and I. realizing that we were Of small
account and should be until, psrchance. it
should come to the laying on OF hearty
blowa. After the closest scrutiny. which
took account Of svery broxen twig and
trampled blade Of grass. this prolonged un-
til the rain was falling smartly to wash
out all the footprints in the dusty road,
Yeates and the Indian gave over and came
to join US under the sheltering branches OF
an oak.
IT'S a mighty curtis sign: most mighty
curls." quoth the hunter, singing the rain
drops from his fur cap and emptyins the
pan Of his rife, not upon the ground. as
soldier would. but saving every precious
grain. "Ez I allow. I never heerd tell OF
any Injuns ADDING that-avay afoIe; have
you. Chief? heyT'
The Catawba's negative was bis cultural
"Wah," and Ephriam Yestes. having care
fully restored the final grain Of the prim-
ing to his powder horn. proceeded TO en-
tighten Us At some length.
Mighty curtis. ez 1 was R-saying. Them
Iniuns fixed I'd IN adjustment. blazedNn
a volley at the closest sort o. range. ED
followed II up with a tomahawk and knife
rush-lessen that there Afrikin was too
plumb daddled TO tell any truth. vhatsome-
deyer. And, spite OF all this here rampAS-
ing. they never drawed q single drop o
blood In the whole enduring scrimmaseI
Mighty curis, that; amt IL. now? And that
amt all; some O. them same Intuns, or
ieastwise one Of 'em, was a-wearing boots
with spurs onto EN- What say. ChiefF
Uncanoola held up all the fingers OF enc
hand and two of the other. "Sebben lnjun;
one paleface,' he aid In confirmation
looked at Richard, and he gave me
back the eyeshot. with q hearty curse 70
speed 70.
'PsIeonnetr' said ne. by way Of tall
piece TO the oath: and I nodded.
twas hat there same hoss-Captain-
sure enough, 60 ] reckon drawled featss;
Maybe one o. % two can tel What-an
he moushi be a-driying at"
Jennifsr shook his head. and I too. VS.
silent Twas out OF all reason 70 s1pr<s@
that the Baronet would resort to sheer
violence and make q terrified captive OF tns
/ woman he wanted to marry. II was q Gu.
rious mystery and the hunters next Woro
involved Il stll more