Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-01-09
CHAPTER vl.-contlnusd.

CHAPTER Vl.-contlnued.
ats the spites," whispered Chip 70
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 II 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
partridges 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 II 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, II
that cuss hain't swiDed the hull bust.
ness Old Cy calculated. as he looked
in and then at the tracks. Crossed
over last night" he added. noting
where a canoe had cut its furrow, AN
steered plumb for my icehouse! The
yarmint!"
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. II also opened his eyes 10 the
fact that this chap would hang about.
watching his chance. until they
started out OF the wilderness, and
then capture the girl II he could. For
a little while Martin wondered over
the situation and then announced his
plans.
There's law, and officers to exc
cute IT," he said. If a sufficient re-
ward be offered: and tomorrow you
and l, Levi. will start for the settle
ment and fetch a couple in. I'll glad.
ly give $500 20 land this sneak behind
the bars. II 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 or Ray must remain or guard
daytimes near the cabin" Martin said
TO Old Cy. MY wife and Chip had
better keep in II. or near 1t most oil
the time: and both Of you must sleeT
there nights. One or the other car
fish or hunt, as needed. We must bC
gone a week or more. even II we have
good luck; but fetching the officeri
hero is the best plan now"
Levi was up early the next morn
ing. and had the best canoe packed FOL
n hurry trip ere breakfast was ready
No tent was to be taken. only blank
cts, a rife. bag Of the simplest cook
ing utensils. pork, bread and coffee
A modest outht--barely enough 4
sustain life. yet all a woodsman car
Ties when a long canoe journey witt
NuAIlth De TAKEN.
There were sober faces at the land
ing when Martin was ready to star
Chip most sober of all--for now sh
realized as never before how seriou
q burden she had become.
No time was wasted in good-byI
Martin grasped the bow paddle. an,
with "old Faithful Levi welding Tn
stern one. they soon crossed the LAX
and vanished at its outlet.
And now. also. for the first tim.
Angle realized how much the presenc
OF these two strong and resourcefr
men meant TO her. All that day sh
and Chip chung TO the cabin, Will
Old Cy, q long. lanky Leatherstocl
ing. patrolled the premises. rife |
hand.
I'VE hainf a mite o. cause I
worry" he said when nightfall DIRE
near. The pesky varmints a Gov
ard. n knows guns are plenty her
an We folks handy In usln' 'em. Py
Eisged a fish line 20 the fee house doc
90 if'il rattle some tlnWare In the ca
IN II he NEEDLES II again. / sIee
with one eye n both ears open. an
he coSac1 prowiln' round Nighttime
hen hear bullets whszzin' an thin
Eourth D. Juiy's opened up arIy."
Bat for All bic cheerful assurance
,llme passed slowly. and spnse /
eeai danger oppressed hngie and chi
~ wslL Ray shared it also.
was NOT "a yel hardened to the wilde
uess. aud like an VINO are thus tenae