Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-02-01
CHAPTER XXVI.
UNEXPECTED TROUBLE.

CHAPTER NXEI.
UNEXPECTED TROUBLE.
But Of that journey into the wilder
ness little need be said. 1t was like
all such-a romantic, though at times
somewhat tedious, following of
streams, crossing lakes and carries,
and camping when night overlook
them. On the second day out old Cy
obtained his first sight and shot at
deer, and, as might be expected, no
harm befell the deer.
81 sartinly aimed fair enough" he
asserted in response to Martins laugh,
but the gun might "a wobbled leetle.
It's bigger game n I'm used to-
He made amends later, for along to-
ward night and just as they rounded
bend in the stream, there on the
bank, with antlers held high, stood a
noble buck looking directly at them.
With quick backward stroke Jean
halted the canoe, Cy raised his rifle,
fred, and the deer leaped straight up
ward and vanished in the underground.
Never touched him!" exclaimed
Martin. But with Not so, he one
dead deer" from the more experienced
Jean, he urged his canoe forward, and.
sure enough, there on the bank a trail
of blood led them 100 rods into the
forest and to the prizesawaiting~t them.
NO deer jump that way 'cept he YER
bad hit" asserted Jean, in triumph,
and as for old Cy, it was the proudest
moment Of his life.
The next day they came upon a jolly
party Of four fellow spOrtsmen, housed
in deserted lumber camp on the shore
of a small lake, and halted for the
usual exchange of compliments, and
finally they made camp and renamed
near them that night. They were a
typical party, jolly and full of fun, and
addressed each other by most unique
alcknames. The leader, stout, ford,
genial man was called Lobster Face,
De next, thin fellow, was Herring
fone, a short dapper little fellow re-
sonded to Brownie, and the dude of
the arty~answered to Dead Easy.
But Martin was too anxious to solve
the mystery that led him into the
woods to tarry long with this pleasant
party, and early the next morning
pushs d on. 1t was four days after
when they saw another human being,
and one days journey to the lake
where he and DR.. Sol had found the
hermit, when just as Levi and Jean
had pitched the tent and started a
fire.. two men padded up in a canoe
and landed close by.
Both were dressed as ordinary sports
men, yet neither could be classed as a
guide.
We were about to make camp above
here" explained the older, a man with
short-cropped gray beard and keen
eyes, land, seeing your fire, we came
down for company's sake. Hope we
don't intrude."
Not at all" answered Martin, pleas
antly, and according to the code IF all
sportsmen, my old friend and I also
like company, and you are welcome to
camp with u.s." Then, still following
the code, he drew flask out from the
stores and passed it to them.
After this peace-offering they with
drew a few rods and began clearing a
camp site. Later, when Martin and
old Cy had disposed Of the broiled ven
ison, coffee and boiled potatoes Levi
had provided, and lit their pipes, the
newcomers joined them. And now en-
sued polite word duel between Martin
and the elder stranger, with each try
ing to obtain information without CIV
ing it. It was fruitless, as might be
expected, for Martin was suspicious
that these men were not the sportsmen
they claimed to be; hence he gave no
information and they were as reticent.
It is a curious and yet well-knowu
fact that two men meeting thus, will,
in a short space, form a usually cor
rect opinion of each others character
and present plans and intentions. One
may strive to evade, to assert what is
false, and as the saying is, pull wool
over the others eyes," yet it is Usually
futile. In this case Martin soon felt
satisfied beyond doubt that these men
were not here for sport, but on some
secret mission they meant to conceal.
They spoke of the abundance of game
and where they had seen it,. of the
weather, lumberin interests, parties
they had met. and kindred subjects,
Ill the time strivin, to induce Martin
to do more talking. At last he decided
to try an experiment on those who he
felt wished to learn his mission.
II presume, gen emen," he said,
that you've been up the Moosehorn?'
The speaker of the two admitted that
he had.
WELL" continued Martin, In a conf
Dental manner. II was up that way
last spring with a friend Of mine who
had never been in the woods, and one
night We received visit from q most
hideous wild man. My friend saw him
first and nearly died OF fright, and
1Rt0e ON I SAW him glarfnR n ~ from