Charlevoix county herald., 1907-12-07
CHAPTER vI.-Continued.


Its the spites," whispered Chip to
Ray. "They allus act that way when
it's stormin'."
The next day the gale began to
lessen, and by night the moon, now
half-full, peeped out Of the scurrying
clouds. At bedtime it was smiling Sc
renely, well down toward the tree
tops, and Chips spites had ceased
their wailing.
Fortunately, however, Martins
quest for game had been successful.
A saddle of venison, a dozen or more
cartridges and two goodly strings
of trout hung in cold storage.
But utter and almost speechless as
constituent awaited Old Cy at the ice
house when he visited it the next
morning, for the venison was gone,
not a bird remained, and one of the
two strings of trout had vanished.
In front, on the sand was the same
tell-tale moccasin tracks.
Wall, by the Great Horn Spoon! If
that cuss haint swiped the hull bust
ness" Old Cy calculated, as he looked
in and then at the tracks. Crossed
over last night" he added, noting
where canoe had cut its furrow, AN
steered plumb for my icehouse The
Varmint!"
But Martin was angry, thoroughly
angry. at the audacious insolence of
the theft, and the thought that just
now this sneaking half-breed was
doubtless enjoying grilled venison and
roast partridge in some secure shell
ter. 1t also opened his eyes to the
fact that this chap would hang about,
watching his chance, until they
started out of the wilderness, and
then capture the girl if he could. For
little while Martin pondered over
the situation and then announced his
plans
There's law, and officers to excl
cute it," he said, "if a sufficient re-
ward be offered; and tomorrow you
and |, Levi, will start for the settle
ment and fetch a couple in. I'll glad
ly give $500 to land this sneak behind
the bars. If he can't be caught, we
can at least have two officers to guard
us going out"
All that day he and Levi spent in
hunting. Another deer was captured,
more birds secured, and when evening
came plans TO meet the situation were
discussed
You OF Ray must remain on guard
daytimes near the cabin" Martin said
to Old Cy. My wife and Chip had
better keep in it. or near it most Of
the time; and both of you must sleep
there nights. One or the other can
fish or hunt, as needed. We must be
gone week or more, even if we have
good luck; but fetching the officers
here is the best plan now"
Levi was mp early the next morn
ing, and had the best canoe packed for
a hurry trip ere breakfast was ready.
No tent was to be taken, only blank
cts, rifle, a bag of the simplest cook
ing utensils, pork, bread and coffee.
A modest outfit-barely enough to
sustain life, yet all woodsman car
ries when long canoe journey with
many carries must be taken.
There were sober faces at the land
ing when Martin was ready to start
Chip most sober of all-for now she
realized as never before how serious
a burden she had become.
No time was wasted in good-bys.
Martin grasped the bow paddle. and
with "Old Faithful Levi welding the
stern one, they soon crossed the lake
and vanished at its outlet.
And now, also. for the first time,
Angie realized how much the presence
of these two strong and resourceful
men meant TO her. All that day she
and Chip chung TO the cabin, while
Old Cy, a long, lanky Leatherstock-
ing, patrolled the premises, rifle in
hand.
1--WE hain't a mite o. cause to
worry" he said when nightfall drew
near. The pcsky varmint's cow
ard, n knows guns are plenty here.
an we folks handy in usin' 'em. I've
rugged a fish line TO the ice house door
so it'll rattle some tinware in the cab
in if he NEEDLES it again. sleep
with one eye n both ears open, an if
ne comes prowlin' round night-times.
he'll hear bullets whizzin an think
Fourth o. July's opened up arly."
But for all his cheerful assurance,
time passed slowly, and a sense of
real danger oppressed Angie and Chip
as we'll Ray shared it also. He
was not as yet hardened to the wilder
ness, and like all who are thus tender,