The Irish standard., 1906-01-20
CHAPTER NXXI.

TIE LAIR OF AN OCTCAST
II was mid afternoon. and all i'm
pending storm hid the sun and made.
the forest ,nduly somhrc when Levi
caught the first sound of the stream
where, months before. he and Martin
had landed to follow a mysterious path.
RS beginning. beside tho bush-S grown
brook. was easily found. where twigs
had been broken off and grass recently
trodden.
Here's tracks," exclaimed Levi who
had landed first. with paddle in hand:
and, STOPPING, he added. "Thcy's tn,
wild mans surc's n gun"
at is he, fast enough" asserted
Martin. who had followed. rifle in hand,
and now also stopped over them.
well, gentlemen almost whis.,
pered Martin. when the tracks had
been we'll examined. "hcre we are. and
your game isn't far off," and he led tho
way into the shadowy forest. up the
narrow path only a few rods, and then
he halted. for there. beside it, and near
ly hid under freshly cut fir boughs. lay
a CANNuS CitHOG, UOllOIll UP.
1t was the one inseparablc compan-
ion OF man and his existence in this
wilderness; and yet. had it been IL
crouching panther instead. IL would not
have awakened much more interest
1t held all eyes one instant only, and
then the row of four stalwart men
glanced furtively around as If expect
3ut
each tree. Only moment they halted.
and then with rifles at ready, and Mar
tin ahead. they filed cautiously up the
narrow path, step by step. twisting
around the dense thicket. along the
frowning ledge. and up tho det1le to
where the moose skull still grinned,
and here they paused. Martin made
no comment. but glanced at the Off
GERS. anxious to see how this CHASTITY
warning was received by them. They
looked at 1t in grim silence, then at
one another, and then up the narrow,
rOck-walled path.
Once more Martin. as leader, moved
OH. and the rest followed
Not Il whisper from any, not loud
breath even. each step slow one and
catlike. and. parting the bushes with
caution until the open glade came in
sight, and just where the swinging
stick crossed the path. they halted.
From here the log hut was visible,
and out Of its low chimney a thin film
OF smoke was ascending.
Martin looked at 1t a moment and
then at his companions
There's your man. guess" he
whispered. cooking supper. Do you
want to call on him without notice, or
shall I ring?"
1t was the critical moment, and one
Officer Scott was not ready to meet
He and his companion had for weeks
been searching this painless wilderness
for a man whose crimes they know
we'll enough. but of his temper. dis.:,,
sition, looks even. they knew but liz
tie. If the occupant of this cabin wps
Mcclure, he vas in position to DEFY
arrest, or at least make it costly.
"Well," whispered Martin again.
realizing their dilemma. shall ring?'
Scott nodded.
On the instant, almost, and rs the
faint. tinkling answers reached the
watching men, a shaggy-haired human
face appeared at the one small win
dow, then slide was moved across it,
leaving narrow crack open.
The cabins owner was evidently at
home.
But 1t needed a brave man. indeed,
to now enter this open glade, bristling
with blackened stumps like so many
fangs, and advance to the hut Scott
was evidently not that man, for he
merely watched and waited, and Mar
tin felt no cause to expose himself
One, two, three minutes passed. and the
four still eyed the cabin.
And now Scott advanced to the sig
nal lever and moved it again and
again.
Only the faint bell sounds iss,ct.
1t was seemingly a case of eitt,r al
vance or retreat, but Scott did NJ: her.
Only moment more he waited, then
then gave loud 'hallo."
1t echoed through that silent will-"-
ness and back from the cliff that
frowned down upon the hut, but 10
one appeared. Again and again was IL
repeated, but the cabin door rem ained
shut, the window slide in place, aud
tho smoke still ascending.
1--WE notion to try a shot," whis-,
pered Scott. and, as no one answered..
he raised his rifle. aimed at the Gill;.
and fired.
The ping of the bullet against the,
rock came back mingling into the re-
port. but no one emerged from the
hut
Once again Scott lifted his rife and
dred.
TIC Be continuedl