Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-06
CHAPTER w.


To trail an enemy who is never
without a rife and the will 70 use Il.
requires courage and Indian cunning
as well. Pete Bolduc had both. and
after observing the many signs Of
trapper's presence fin the swamp, he
knew. after he crossed Il and reached
this lake. that somewhere on its
shores his enemy. Mcclure. had his
lair
He paused at the outlet. as did Old
Cy. 90 scan every rod OF its rocky
shores. not once. but dozen times.
The sun was now halfway down A
mellow autumn haze softened the en-
circling mountains and the broad
frowning peak TO the right. A gentle
breeze rippled the upper end OF the
lake. and here. IN the Wild rice grow
ing along its borders. stood a deer,
belly-deep IN the green growth.
No thought OF the blessed harmony
OF lake sky. and forest, or the Sc
questered beauty OF this spot came
20 the halfbreed Revenge and muir
der-twin demons OF his nature-were
ia his heart and the Indian cunning
that made him hide while he watched
for signs OF his enemy. The bare peak
overlooking the lake soon impressed
him as vantage point. and after a
half-hour OF watchful listening he laid
his rifle across the thwart. handy To-
grasp on the instant. and. Selling his
paddle once more. crossed the lake TO
the foot OF the peak
To hide his canoe here. ascend this
with pack and rife. was the next move
OF this human panther, and here In a
! sheltering crevasse he lay and watched
FOR his enemy.
Two hours later. and just at sunset
Mcclure returned 10 the lake.
AS usual he. TOO. paused az the out
let 20 scan its shores. He believed
himself utterly secure here. and
thought no human being was likely TO
( find this lakelet. But for AL that, he
was watchful Some exploring lum-
/ herman OF some pioneer trapper might
cross this vast swamp and find this
/ lake during his absence.
| A brief scrutiny assured him that he
I was stu safe from human eyes. and
( he crossed the lake.
From the bare cliff A single keen
and Vengeful eye watched him.
| AS usual. also, Mcclure made his
landing az a convenient point. some so
rods from his cave. and carried his
canoe up and turned Il over back OF a
Iow-iutting ridge OF slate. He skinned
/ the half-dozen prizes his traps had Sc.
/ cured that day and followed a shallow
dehle to his lair. Here his pelts were
stretched. a slab OF slate was lifted
from its position in a deep, wide ere
vase between two OF these lodges
and Mcclure crawled into his den.
Most OF these movements were OBJ
served by the half-breed. who. watch
ing ever while he plotted and planned
how best 10 catch his enemy unawares
saw him emerge from amid the lodges
again, go down 20 the lake. return
with a pail Of water. and vanish once
more.
All this was a curious proceeding
for he. like Old Cy. had expected tc
find MCGUIRE occupying some barb
shelter. and even now he supposed
there was one among this confusion o.
bare rocks.
Another surprise soon came to thi.
distant watcher. for he row saw thiE
column Of smoke rise from a ledge anC
continue in varying volumne until hid
den by twilight
And now. secure in his cave ana
quite unconscious OF the watcher will
murderous intent who had observed
his actions. Mcclure was enjoying
himself He had built a little slat,
fireplace within his cave. a funnel o
the same easily fitted material car
ried the smoke - TO long, inch-wid'
assure in the roof. He had q table o
slate to eat from. handy by bed flle'
with moss and dry grass, also pin
knots for needed light.
Opening into this small cave was
lesser one. always cool and dry. for N
rain nor melting snow could enter II
and here was McGuire's pantry, an,
here also a half-dozen tin cans, safel,
hidden under slab OF slate, stuffe,
with gold 30 h,r',notes.
To stin further protect this inne
; cave he had fitted a section Of slat
10 entirely I'll its entrance.
When the last vestige OF sunset ha
vanished and twinkling stars were T,
Elected from the placid lake. the hal
breed descended from his lookou
point, and. launching his canoe. 70
lowed close 10 the Swallowed shor
and landed Just above where McGuir
dlsembarked. Indian that he was. h
chose the hours OF night and darkness
TO crawl up to the bark shelter whic
he expected to find. his intention bein
|; TIL = ia "