Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-07
hOcent man"

pihSei, oihooI iusOleutly, mat warm
ing suspected criminal OF aiding him
to escape exposes you to arrest?"
Il do" answered Martin, firmly, land
also that arresting a man without a
specific warrant and proof that he is
The criminal wanted, lays even an off,
Ger open to arrest and prosecution.
Now you have with you, no doubt, a
warrant for the arrest Of one Mcclure.
criminal in hiding. I gave you, some
Three weeks ago, what | believed to be
Sirections where you could find him.
You doubted my word Of honor as q
gentleman, and came here. You found
/ cabin that had been vacated for many
weeks; you remained in it over night,
committing two crimes, trespass and
stealing, and then went your way. The
pwner OF this cabin is an old friend Of
mine whom know well, and he Is back
again now. You can arrest him, Of
rourse, but at your own peril. II you
do, assure you, | am worth and will
spend $4,000 to land you in jail for
80 doing. Now. gentlemen, we won't
waste words over this matter Please
consider yourselves my guests, pitch
your tent here. and let us be sociable"
For a moment the two newcomers
looked at one another. hardly knowing
whether to lac civil or not. The better
impulse won finally. and when Martin,
rs is customary, proffered flask, they
drank to his good health
1--WE do not wish to annoy any one"
the leader asserted, when peace was
restored; my names Scott, and this
man is my chum, John Smart. We
did come here, and OF course made free
with an open shack. We don't doubt
your word as a gentleman, but we have
been up the Moosehorn and don't find
signs Of any patch or hut you described
and that's the story and why We are
here
"You will be satisfied in two min
utes that this old hermit is not your
nan" responded Martin, pleasantly.
He Is a poor follow, almost a child
now, and my Old friend you saw with
me was his intimate friend years ago."
After the two officers had pitched
their tent. cooked and eaten supper be-
side Martins fire, they all gathered
around it and he told the old hermts
story The wild mans night visit
months before was not omitted. and
tie hidden cabin, with its bell signal,
vas again described.
The two officers also proved to be
decent men on acquaintance.
Il should not have taken that all
night paddle" asserted Martin, when
CT 1a1 1,oI
doubted my word, and tomorrow. If I
find it wise to leave my old friend
alone here with tho hermit, I'll go
with you up the Moosehorn and show
You that cabin. 1t may not be occu-
pied now, but It was then"
When morning came, Officer Scott
proved himself worthy OF respect by
accepting Martins word. and keeping
away from the hermit.
ut will only scare him." explained
Martin, land we hope to get him out OF
the woods and back to Greenvale and
his daughter. If we can't coax him
to go, ! am nonplused. and we may
have to carry him out. How he has
contrived 10 live here winter after
winter is a mystery"
The new plan Of Martins going away
met old Cy's approval
AMI and me is gittin' real chum-
my once more" he said; we've dug
his pertatoes n packed EN- in moss
under the cabin; we're cuttin' an
fplittin' wood, n smokin' meat, n
Yatherin' nuts for the squirrels all
day long. I like 1t, and wouldn't mind
stayin with him all winter. He's got
couple O bear traps set somewhat,
II tO-mOrrer we're goin' ter tend en-"
It was a pleasant picture of wood
life, but il failed to relieve Martins
mind much. or show him a way to Sc
cure Angles inheritance. 1t set him 10
thinking, however, on what would be
gained after all by the return Of this
childish hermit to Greenvale, and
would Angie be made the happier by
Il? 1t was question. and one hard to
bolve. So far as the law went, deed
Ind ali necessary legal papers, could be
Signed and witnessed here. 1t was too
tOon to propose that now, but 1t must
lie kept in mind.
Il am going to leave Jean here to
hunt for yCsl and AMI while I'm gone"
Martin said to old Cy. when ready to
depart with the officers; "hc can get
you one OF two deer to cure for winter
use, and | may decide to let you stay
here after all. When the right time
comes, show AMI the two pictures of
Angie and take good care OF him"
And with this parting injunction he
and cold Faithful" as lie had some
times called Levi, pushed of.
A canoe trip through a wilderness Is
at once romantic, laborous, and lazy.
The waterways, of course must be fol-
lowed, and when pitch of water"
Us a rapid or falls is called, is reached,
your craft and belongings must be car
ried around if ascending the stream.
II descending and not too dangerous.
thrilling, and often risky trip is made
down through the boiling, seething
waters; leaping perhaps over sheer
falls of two or three feet, lodging
rocks. tossed upon white-crcsted surges,
spun around in eddies. wet with spray,
Dreathless with excitement, until the
mad race is run and you float calmly
ut last in the foam-coyered pool be-
low.
When one stream can no longer be
followed, long carry must be made