The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-05-05
CHAPTER XVII.


in southeastern direction, leaving the
Kentucky river little to the left. The
scout was in ill humor, for he was fully
persuaded in his own mind that Allan
was a person to disarrange and foil the
most skillfully devised plans that expert
enced woodcraft could contrive.
Hes a green hand" he muttered to
himself Hes a stumblin' block in my
way. I don't want to be in such COM
pany; want men who have walked up
and down this great country as l have,
when there was painted cre'tu 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 APP
| 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 di-
rection was lost.
/
| pulling away the vines, perceived, much
to his surprise, the mouth of a small
cave. Having gazed into the dark and
forbidding aperture until his eyes had
become in some measure accustomed to
the darkness, he entered the subterra-
mean abode. He CROPPED his way along
until he reached place where he could
stand erect. He was straining his pow
ers of vision to the utmost, when he was
Frustrated 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 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 cleft at the top which al
lowed the smoke to pass out.
The flames leaped up cheerfully, and
flung 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, II
necessary.
Its Ballardw he exclaimed when
the scouts features were revealed by
the freight.
"You shouldn't knock a man dowr
without an introduction" said the spy
coolly.
"Sc you've tracked me at last" sale
the man.
81 reckon have" returned the scout
"and would like to track my way bacl
again."
you've made the last tracks you'll
ever make!" cried the other. fiercely.
81 knew something would break" an
swered Ballard.
you've got broken head already
and it's my opinion you'll get a broker
, neck before you get through with thi
business" retorted the man.
81 have a notion your name Is Nc
Kee, the bosom friend of that villainou
piece of human natur' called Silas Cir
ty," said the scout.
Draw 1t mild or may make an en'
, of you on the spot" answered McKe
savagely. "Yeu have always been a sp,
: on our movements, and your death ha
been resolved on for a long time. Grit
1 | and have been after you for man
e weeks"
"Thank ye,". said Ballard.
l "Girty will be here in the morning,
resumed Mckee.
= II should rather have seen him yes
: terday morning." observed the scout
a honestly.
s "No doubt-no doubtp returned Nc
Kee, with a sinister grin.
Ballard felt little inclination to cor
p tinue the conversation so uninterestini
4 and accordingly turned his attention tc
j ward the two females. The elder of tn
!, two was obviously of the Indian rae,
b while the younger was evidently he
daughter. Both were clad In the COT
tune of savage life. The younger wa