Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-27

LIE river TO take advantage OF their
sure pursuit by travelling on the Fort
Pitt trail until again hunted into the
forest.
The pursuit began even sooner than
expected and almost caught me nap
ping, for, resting moment to scru-
tln1ze broad stretch of barren ground
around which had just circled in or
der to keep cover, saw a man creep
Ing among the rocks and berry scrub,
doubtless nosing about for my trail. A
moment later another man moved on
the eastern edge Of the mountain flank,
and at the same time, far up the river,
saw the canoe floating.
That was enough for me, and 1 start
ed on a dog trot down the slope and
along the river bed, plunging through
willows and alders till I came to a
bend from which the naked shoulder
of the mountain could not be seen.
Thayendanegea had taught me to do
what people thought / would be likely
to do, but to accomplish it so craftily
that they would presently think had
done something else.
When at length those who pursued
me should find my, trail on the south
ern border of the open scrub land they
would have no difficulty in following
me down the long incline to the river
where now stood, ankle deep in icy
water. I had halted exactly opposite
to the mouth of a rocky stream, and it
was natural that / should ford the
rapids here and continue on the other
bank up that stream to hide my trail.
They would expect me to do this, so
this did. and ran up the bed of the
stream for few rods, carelessly leav-
ing tiny dust line Of cornmeal on the
rocks as though in my headlong fight
my sack had started seam.
Then turned around and waded
down the brook again to the river, out
to the shallow rapids, and SO, knee
deep, fastened southwark again to put
the next bend between me and the
canoe.
In this manner l Travelled for three
hours without sign Of pursuit and had
1t not been for my pack could have
logged on till night. But my CALLED
shoulders creaked for mercy, and
struggled out once more into the Fort
Pitt trail and stood painting and alert,
drenched with sweat.
The trail had been trodden within
the hour. l saw fresh sign of two diff
ferent moccasins and of a coarse boot
of foreign style, all pointing south
ward. The moccasins We're like one
pair l had in my pack, of Albany
make. The wearer of the boots toed in.
These things noticed quicker than 1
could relate them, and instinctively l
changed my moccasins for the third
time and ran on, stepping carefully in
the tracks of him who wore the Alba
ny moccasins and keeping sharp eye
ahead.
had run nearly half mile and
was beginning to look about for
vantage spa9 to rest on when turn in
the trail brought me out along the riv-
er.
scanned the stream thoroughly and
discovered nothing 10 balk at, but I
could not see the oppcs,ee bank very
plainly because the forest rose from
the waters edge and all was dusky
where the low arched branches screen
ed the shore
1t was clear could not remain in
the Fort Pitt trail with at least two
Of the Butler crew behind me. Should
l take to the tangled forest again? My
shoulders begged me not to, and / trot-
ted out on the open trail.
Instantly shot echoed in the gorge,
and the pack on my back jerked. I
never made such jump In all my
life before, for had cleared the open
like scared fawn and now stood
glued to tree, peering at the blue
cloud Of smoke which trailed along the.
opposite shore.
There it was-there came their ac-'
cursed canoe!
There We're two men in the canoe.
One padded gingerly; the other had re-,
loaded his rifle and was now squatting.
IN the bow. But what astonished andi
enraged me was that knew the men
Wraxall. the barber. and Toby Tice-
perfectly well. They were, moreover,
tenants of Sir William, living with
their families in Johnstown, and their
murderous treachery Mortified me.
had never shot at man. raised
my rife and held them on the sights
for moment, but there was no fever
OF the chase in me now, only heart
sick horror of taking neighbours life.
In choked and shaky voice hailed
them. warning them back. My voice
gave them start, for 1 believe they
thought me hard hit.
Suddenly Wraxall fired. Through
the blue cloud I saw Tice sweep au
large, and stepped out to the shore
and shot ripping hole through their
canoe as it heeed.
/ CTo be continued in next ISSUE
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