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

astir, and short season OF trapping
was again entered upon. and mingled
with that a few days more OF gum
gathering. II was brief and at disad-
vantage. for ice stin covered the lake,
and until that disappeared no use OF
the canoes could be made
Once well under way, however.
spring returned with speed. the brooks
began to overflow. the lake 10 rise. and
one morning. instead OF a white ex-
panse OF wstery ice. IL was a blue ard
rippled lake once more.
And now plans for Rays return to
Greenvale were in order. and the sole
topic OF discussion. He was as eager
as a boy anxious for the close OF
school. and for double reason. which
is self-evident
II was agreed that Old Cy and him
self should make the trip out together
in two canoes, and convey their stores
OF gum and frs. At the settlement
these were 10 be packed. to await later
sale and shipment. Old Cy would then
return to camp. and Ray would 90 on
to Greenvsle.
A change in this plan came in an
unexpected manner. however. for a
few days before the one set for de-
parture. Old Cy. always on watch. saw
a canoe enter the lake. and who should
appear but Levi. Martins old guide.
I've been cookin' up at a lumber
camp on the Moosehorn." he ex-
planned. after greetings had been ex-
changed. "an' thought I would make
a trip up here an call on ye fore I
went out"
How welcome be was. and how al.
even AMI. Of those winter-bound
prisoners We'd with each other In max
ing him the guest OF honor. need not
be asserted. He had been a part OF
their life here the previous summer,
with ali its joys and dangers. and now
seemed one OF them.
When mutual experiences and their
winters history had been exchanged.
Of course Chips rescue. the half
breeds escape and the whereabouts
Of her father came up for discussion
that evening.
I've heard from Tins Place two or
three times this winter" said Levi.
AN neither Pete ror old Mcclure has
been seen or heard on since early last
AeAAr a NAN SUI NAAeA go -nANH nAA N0NNA
revenge on Mcclure. as Martin and I
found. when we went out. He stayed
round a week or So heard later and
then started FOR his cabin on the Fox
Hole. n since then hain't never been
seen or heard OF by nobody. Tim an
Mike went over 20 his cabin long in
the winter. but no signs OF him was
found. or even Of his bella thar since
snow came. Mcclure also seems to
hev dropped out o. business and amt
been heard on since I'm the summer.
We've expected him all winter at the
lumber camp. but he didn't show up
We've seen him. put ia Old Cy.
flashing a smile az Ray. "lcastwise
callated twas him, though I never let
on 20 that effect. He was trappin'
over beyond big swamp last fall. n
he paid us a visit. stole a half-dozen o.
our catches n left his trademark on
our canoe" And then Old Cy told the
story Of their adventure. emitting.
however. any reference to the sup
posed cave.
ITS curis what has become o. him."
Levi said. when the tale was told. and
our camp crowd all believe that thar's
been foul play. with Pete at the bot
| tom ont Nobody's shed any tears.
though. an I'm thinkin' the woods is
well rid o him. He's been terror to
everybody lonE enough"
Much more OF this backwOods COS
sip and change OF experience rlled IN
the evening AID next morning Old Cy
gave Ray a word OF caution
Il kept whist bout our fndln' what
We callated was a cave" no said. an
| I want you TO- This matter o. Nc
CURE and the half-breed amt blowed
over yit an We don't want 70 git mixed
up in it. Ez fer the cave. II We lowed
we found one. the folks at Tins Place
nd go huntin' fer II. sure. a I've my
reasons for not wantin' they should go.
So NUNS the word TO Levi bout IT,"
Lewis arrival. however. changed
their plans for he at once offered 10
convoy Ray out OF the woods. thus re
lieving Old Cy and three days later
these two, with well-laden canoes,
started on the out going journey.
II was not without incident, for
when the main stream was reached, IL
was dotted with floating logs and the
red-shirted drivers with the bateaux
ard spike shoes were in evidence. A
monster Jam was met AZ the first
rapid. the bags OF gum nuts. bundles
OF frs, and canoes had to be carried
around II, and when Tins Place was
reached, a score OF the good-natured
woodsmen were in possession.
Levi discreeuy avoided all questions
as to what Tim knew Of Chip. her
father. or the halfbrsed. Rays lips
were also sealed. and so both escaped
much questioning. Here. also, they
learned what both had guessed-that
Mcclure and Pete had either left the
wilderness or had persisted that win
ter Where and how, II such was the
case. no one seemed TO know or care,
and close observer would have said
that every one Tins Place hoped
that these two outlaws had met their
fate
Old Tomah was also found at Tins
Place. and he was undeniably glad to
see both Ray and Levi, and to learn