Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-08-10
CHAPTER VIII.
THE HERMIT's HOME.

wild man, and later that he had fol-
lowed them for ten days, were now di-
Vlded. or rather graded, in conviction
Jean was sure it was ghost, Levi di-
vided between spook and wild man, the
doctor positive ii was the latter, and
Martin still in doubt. To be followed
was disturbing; the bold night visit
to their camp while they were asleep
was significant; and now q creature. be
1t Indian, wild man, or hunter. who
Journeyed by night and crossed lakes
when he should be asleep, was more
than merely curious of conduct This
mystery had piqued Martin at first,
now 1t eXasperated; and though uncer-
tain what to do or which way to turn
to solve it, he had no thought of being
driven out Of the woods, or even turn
ing aside. He had planned to remain
here on this beautiful lake few days,
and now this mysterious night prowler
was there also, he resolved to stand
his ground and hunt him out if posi-
bic. The creature had apparently gone
up the tributary stream-why not fol-
low him?
But DR.. Sol thought otherwise.
I've had enough OF him" was his
positive response when Martin pro-
posed they ascend this stream on a
searching trip, and some to spare.
dare not set foot in tine woods alone:
he drives me away from fishing. and
| can't sleep nights. | don't see the
good of chasing bloodthirsty savage
who decorates his feet with panther
claws, and who may want our scalps.
I've notion he'd try for one if he
caught one of us alone"
Then Martin laughed.
We'll, well keep together" he said
and, for that matter, four men with
two rifles need not fear even wild
man
Would you shoot him if you got
me chance returned the doctor, feel
ing he had the better of the argument.
why, yes. in self-defenSe. OF course
not otherwise"
Martin, as leader of the trip. nat
urally carried his point, but when the
canoes were loaded and they started
up this stream. it was noticeable that
the doctor and Jean, in their craft
kept close to Martin, and not once dur
ing all that days journey did they drop
two rods astern.
For the first few miles the stream
wound, black and without current he
meath canopy of frs. the low banks
completely hid by underground. Now
and then a mink or muskrat was seen
crossing just ahead, and once on otter
surprised on half-submerged log.
dived in with a splash that sounded
uhduIy loud. Then q wide stretch of
lnpaSsable swamp was entered with
here and there dead spruce rising
tall and spectral; beyond this the val
ley narrowed and banks grew high and
rock-walled. Here, too, the stream
showed the first sign Of current. and
the low murmur of an Occasional
though invisible rill. gave some ra
lief
And here IL must be stated that IN
all the wide world there is no sound
SO sweet as the music of brooLIet
heard in the sombre silence of a will
derness. a bobolink circling over
meadow utters a note of wondrous
sweetness, but not to compare with
the melodious tinkle of faint. forest
hidden rill
To Martin and the doctor il gave
Keen pleasure. for the unbrok en- silence
OF forest sUlitudes. endured for hor-s
becomes oppressive. Up to this tir.c
also, no sign of what they were IA
quest of had been found-no uIio.r
tracks on muddy banks. no broken
twigs or leaves floating down. 20
sounds of i'll omen, or aught else e
suspicious nature. And when nOll
came. and they landed to crawl up ou
a high bank and cook dinner. it seemgd
as if the Doctors theory of a wilJ-
goose chase was likely to prove Ger
rect. But now clew came TO thc,a
though one that never would have berh
noticed except by woodsman of L.
Wis keenness lie had gone litt.e
higher up on the bank to break div
twigs from the trunk of a fir tree. when
suddenly he paused. elevated his no.e
and shifted
Il smell smoke" he said. an birch
bark smoke too
The next momeni he started TO climb
the tree and halted notIuntl we'll ..p
toward the top
Thar's an opening. n a little lake
ahead" he added, returning to earth
The Information was a trihe. out il
was something OF value. and when the
hastily-coOked meal was eaten. they
pushed on, and now the stream, which
had grown smaller. seemed likely to
lose itself in another swamp II was
now mere network Of narrow leads
without current, twisting among boys
OF dry scdge and half hidden beneath
alders First one was tried then an
other. and even Levi vas getting dis
couraged. when an opening showed
ahead in the tangle and soon they
emerged into a placid little lake.
1T was scarce half mile in diameter.
nearly round. and swamp bordered for
three-quarters Of its circumference
To the right OF where they entered
III l. -