Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-20

was pushed aside Il niue ana q lantern
was held NJ.
Hey, Charlcy,,' said a friendly
voice. a white face peered into n red
one. noting the Uneven bang and the
handkerchief tied over the head like
a squaw's.
The Indian blinkcd at the light and
showed his teeth in Il grin.
CurSing, though not unkindly, the
guard pushed the wicket wide. Don't
y come botherin' me any more t.
night" he cornseled as a black blanket
and a ragged skirt wriggled through.
The Indian grinned again and did
not seek to clude the lantern. Re-
leased, he shuffled away, going straight
for the post. But the stockade left a
few rods to the rear he changed his
course and made toward the river.
Close to its edge be halted and Knocked
the signal.
The call was repeated softly. Then
call and echo nearcd by degrees, until
the Indian and the interpreter were
touching hands.
There was no need for words. The
nights work was planned. They start
ed cautiously upstream. Before long
they were behind the stables, ready for
the second step. 1t was one that de-
volved upon Matthews. For it he car
ried a long knife, single edged. keen
and slightly curved, like a saber.
First he tiptoed to the nearby repair
shop, whore the stable guard and two
herdcrs wore gathered about a Ian
tern. relieving their irksome hours
with cheese, bareback and various tall
bottles that once adorned the shelves
of the Troopers Delight. Unseen the
interpreter looked in upon the group.
Tied in twos outside the long barn
were six horses. the mounts of the
guard. Each Of the animals was bri-
died and saddled. Matthews went
from pair to pair Of the horses, steal
ing along carefully. When he was
done with the six he disappeared in
side Down the rows of stalls his
work was surer and more swift. What
noise he made was drowned by the
rush of the river.
Now Indian and white ally continued
upstream. Beyond the northern sentry
line ana beyond the sod huts of the
scouts they spicd the first sign of the
horse herd they sought, q herd com
posed Of the suffers spike team. a
four-in-hand used on the wood wagon,
Lieutenant FrAser's Buckskin and Il
dozen or tifteca second choice mounts
belonging to absent officers. That sign
was Il spark IN the ground a long way
ahead. They knew it for the lantern
of the remaining hcrder.
Matthews turned aside toward the
landing. we meet here" he whis-
pered.
The Indian g%runte'i an assent and
made off in the direction Of the diStan.
spark.
When he came back some time had
passed. \ fash Of lightning disclosed
him to Matthews, who saw that the
other was wiping at his face with his
skirt.
How did it 90. Canada John? ?" ask
ed the Interpreter.
Canada John laughed. "The herder
was glad to see Squaw Charley" he
answered, but he fought like u
badger"
Here is the small boat. When you
have finished on this side remember
the Man Who Buys Skins is IN the
other. He will be glad to see Squaw
Charley too"
"Have you the oil?"
"Ycs." The interpreter felt for the
others hand and gave him a can. They
parted for the second time.
Canada John now started for the
post. AS he went he pulled dry grass
until his arms We're full. Arrived be
side the barracks, he began to pile the
grass against the pine wall.
In the blackness Brannon lay peace
full. The sentrics We're announcing
their CHEEKY "Alrs WE'LL"
The interpreter had reached the herd,
whore he was taking the rope hobbies
from the fore legs of several horses.
This lone he climbed into a herder's
saddle and headed the band slowly up
the bottom land. Nearly all the ami,
mails had seen long service, so they
went tamcly enough. Where the road
along the bank turned west to cross
the bluffs through n break they took
it and were o o over the ridge and
out upon the prairie. There Matthews
Started them south. Finally a mile or
more below the line of the stockade lac
completed his wide detour by driving
them due east. Beside the Missouri he
rounded them up and brought them to
a stand.
lie tied the horse he had ridden ia
some willows. Next. having unwound
several rope lengths from about his
waist, he began 10 catch and tie 9th
ers Of the bunch. He had rope for
only ten. The hobbies fastened three
more. The remaining horses were gen
tie, all but the one belonging to Fra
ser. Matthew'S swearing in English
and Uncapapa, .ried every device he
knew, but failed to catch her.
lie dared not waste another minute
Quickly he wound some grass into q
twist, lit it and waved 1t back ana
forth above his head three times, after
which, as Il p%recnution, he took a mask
from his hind pocket and going fr0m