Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-04-05
CHAPTER XVII.

| CHAPTER XVII.
Ballard, after parting with Kenton
and Norwood, struck out into tho forest
in a southeastern direction, leaving the
! Kentucky river little to the left. The
scout was in i'll humor, for he was fully
persuaded in his own mind that Allan
was a person to disarrange and foil the
| most skilfully devised plans that expert
enced woodcraft could contrive.
Hes a green hand" he muttered to
himself Hes stumblin' block In my
way. l don't want to be in such com
pany; l want men who have walked up
| and down this great country as | have,
when there was a painted cre'tur' behind
every bush. and no man could safely
say his life was his own for the next
three seconds. He won't never get back
to BooneSborough with a whole skin.
Sumthin' in the course of natur'. will nat
orally break"
Having arrived at this stage, and to
him self-evident conclusion, the scout
paused to deliberate on the object of his
present mission. In short time he
moved on again, decided upon some par
ticular course of action. He traversed
beautiful woodlands, lying in uniform
and graceful swells, where the wild
grape vines mounted gigantic trees,
where innumerable flowers breathed
their perfume to the balmy air.
1t was near the hour of sunset when
Ballard reached the hills. The forester
was thirsty and looked about for water.
Hearing the murmur of a rivulet, he
advanced in that direction and discovered
a small stream gushing from the hills.
Thinking to find cooler and more re-
freshing waters nearer the source of the
spring. he followed the streamlet. He
soon perceived that it flowed from one
of the highest of the range of hills, the
sides of which were nearly perpendicu-
lar AS the scout threw himself down
to drink. he observed that the ground
about the spot seemed considerably trod-
den. He instantly examined this ap-
pearance more particularly and was
convinced that human feet had recently
pressed the soil; and not merely on one
or two occasions, but so often that a
tolerably well-defned path was discern
able Having satisfied his thirst, Bal
lard discovered that the water gushed
from an open space in the hillside, few
steps beyond and the spot was over
grown with grapevines and hazel. while
the slight footpath tended in that d.
rection was lost.
The scout approached the place and,
pulling away the vines. perceived, much
to his surprise, the mouth of a small
cave. Having gazed into the dark and
forbiddng aperture until his eyes had
become in some measure accustomed to
the darkness, he entered the subterra
mean abode. He groped his way along
until he reached a place where he could
stand erect. He was straining his pow
ers of vision to the utmost, when he was
prostrated by a heavy blow upon his
head. Before the scout had fairly recov-
cred his senses his hands and feet were
securely bound.
Come in," said a gruff voice. "I've
got him where he can't do no mischief.
Come in and kindle a fire, and let us see
who we've caught"
Ballard turned his eyes toward the
mouth of the cave, and saw two females
glide in. They passed the spot where
he was lying, and one of them lighted a
pile of fagots that had been previously
prepared, and heaped against a large
rock with a cleft at the top which al
lowed the smoke to pass out.
The flames leaped up cheerfully, and
flung a ruddy glare of light upon the
features of the scout. The individual
who had knocked him down and bound
him. stood by like a surly mastiff, who,
having conquered his adversary, stands
by to give him an additional shake, if
necessary.
ITS Ballard"' he exclaimed, when
the scouts features were revealed by
the freight.
"You shouldn't knock a man down
without an introduction" said the spy,
coolly.
sc you've tracked me at last" said
the man.
II reckon l have" returned the scout,
| "and would like to track my way back
again."
You've made the last tracks you'll
ever make" cried the other. fiercely.
Il knew something would break" an
| swered Ballard.
You've got a broken head already
and it's my opinion you'll get broken
| neck before you get through with this
| business" retorted the man.
II have a notion your name Is Me
| Kee the bosom friend of that villainous
| piece of human natur' called Silas Cir
| ty,' said the scout.
Draw it mild or | may make an end
| Of you on the spot" answered Mckee
savagely. you have always been spy
on our movements, and your death has
been resolved on for a long time. Girty
| and | have been after you for many
| weeks"
Thank ye." said Ballard.
| "Girty will be here in the morning,
resumed Mckee.
| 81 should rather have seen him yes
terday morning." observed tne scout
| honestly.
"No doubt-Do Doubt" returned Nc
| Kee, with a sinister grin.
Ballard felt little inclination to con
| tinue the conversation so uninteresting
| and accordingly turned his attention to
ward the two females. The elder Of the
two was obviously Of the Indian race
while the younger was evidently hel
daughter. Both were clad in the cos
tune Of savage life. The younger wal