Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-01-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
A DESERTED CABIN.


narrow bunk on one side, the shelf
like table with its few dishes washed
clean and piled together, the two rude
stools, tiny stove, pots and pans. Then
he turned to old Cy.
Our night paddle was useless" he
said in a detected tone, "the hermit's
gone"
Ard absent he had been for many
weeks, as their observant eyes soon
saw. Not only had the falling leaves
drifted up against the door since last
closed, but tiny shoots of grass had
grown in the pathway and the garden
had been left undisturbed since mid
summer 1t was here that the long
continued absence of it's owner was
most in evidence The ripened ears
of corn had been picked clean by crows
and squirrels. bean pods lay rotting
on the ground, and tangle of weeds
covered the plot.
There's one thing we kin do, ary-
how" said old Cy, when the examina
! ton was ended, eve kin lay low round
here n watch them ossifers git
| fooled"
1t is needless to say that his bub-
bling sense of humor was consoling
| to Martin just now, and the two re-
| turned to the landing, where a con-
sultation was held. 1t ended in deci-
sion to cross the lake, ascend tribu
tary stream, and, hiding the canoes,
return through the woods, and, as old
Cy said, Lay low" This was carried
out, and, an hour later, Levi stationed
at the landing as an outer guard, while
the rest found good hiding-places.
They had another hours wait, and
then Levi joined them with the infor-
nation that the expected visitors were
just crossing the lake.
1t was not really courteous conduct
on Martins part to thus play the spy,
but somehow he felt unkindly toward
these minions of the law who doubted
his word, and when they approached
the cabin, was willing to listen.
Guess the bird has flown" said the
leader, as he halted before the hut and
glanced at the little bank of leaves.
Then, pushing the door in, he looked
long, turned about, and added, 81 WON
der where these fellows are who gave
us the slip?'
I've notion we may have passed
'em below here" responded his COM
panion, land they'll show up later"
Then they ransacked the garden, re-
turned and entered the cabin, and
made more complete examination.
Hes been hiding here a good long
time" asserted the leader, appearing
again and glancing at the vines almost
; covering the hut. "This shacks been
; built all of ten years or more"
; well, did you ever?" he exclaimed
in establishment, as a squirrel suddenly
appeared from behind the cabin, ran
up to him, halted, and the next instant
was on his shoulder Here. you var
mint, git off" he added, striking at the
pretty creature, who leaped to the
| ground chattering.
[ Then the two men looked at one an
other, for that frisking squirrels con-
J duct was a revelation.
I'm not just sure it's McGuire's hid
ing-post after ALL asserted one.
t Nor either" responded the other
'This hut's been built twice ten years
or I'm no guesser; and MCGUIRE wa'n't
( the chap to tame squirrels that way
Then he glanced at the sun, now well
S down, and added, 1--WE might as well
I camp here tonight and save trouble
! besides there's taters and onions in the
;. garden"
t When the two had returned to Their
: canoe, Martin softly whistled to his
q companions, and they also vanished
into the woods to hold a consultation
| whou coc,ra from,
!. WAL" said old Cy, chuckling
a they've skinned us out o. good
: camping spot n now what's to bt
g done?"
e 1t was a poser, and Martin, seating
t himself on fallen tree trunk, stroket
4 his chin and reflected.
d They'll light out in the morning,
s he said at last, "and until then art
i welcome to the hut. I've no use fol
e them. Think of brute in the shape
of a man who would knock harmless!
[ squirrel OF his shouldn't"
The fact was that Martin had con
n ceived sudden and really causeles.
q dislike for these two men who were
only. doing their duty.
: It'll be dark fore we know it." as
q serted old Cy, glancing into the shad
owy forest, en- it's good spell bacl
to the canoes. Mebbe we better pusl
i on
And push on they did. back to tn,
! concealed canoes. and a camp for tn,
n night And later around the camp
II FIRE consultation was held in earnest
1--WE are here 10 find that hermit" as
/ serted Martin, after all surmises as Il
& his whereabouts hao been exhausted