Mexico Missouri message., 1908-02-06
CHAPTER xlv.-continusd.

Then came another surprise, for sud
denly Old Cy caught sight of a man
Just emerging from behind a rock fully
ten rods from the rising smoke; he
stopped, lifted canoe into view. adj
vanced to the shore, slid II halfway
into the water, returned to the rock,
picked up a rife. then pushed the
canoe on. and. crossing the lake. van.
ished into the outlet.
The two watchers on the ridge ex.
changed glances.
Hes goin' to tend his traps, an
mebbe ourn," Old Cy said at last, and
then led the way back to their bark
shack. Here he halted, and placing
one hand scoop-fashion over his ear,
listened intently until he caught the
faint sound of a paddle touching a
canoe gunwale. First slightly, then p
more distinctive thud. and then less
and less until the sound ceased.
THE coasts clear" ne added, now
in an exultant whisper. AN while the
old cats away we'll take a peek at HIS
dem"
A hurried gathering of their few be
longings was made, the canoe was
showed into the lagoon, and no time
was lost until the lake was crossed
and they drew along side Of where the
smoke was still rising In a thin film.
No landing was possible here, for the
shore was a sheer face Of upright
slate. and only where this lone trap
per had launched his canoe could they
make one.
From here a series of outcroppinl
slate lodges rose one above another
and between them and parallel to the
shore. narrow. irregular passages par
TALLY closed by broken rock. 1t was
all Of slaty formation, jagged. serrated
and gray with moss.
Following one OF these passages, OLD
Cy and Ray came to the ledge out oI
which the smoke was rising from q
crevasse. Il was a little lower thar
one In front, perhaps 40 feet II
breadth. double that In length, and o.
q more even surface. At each end wal
q short transverse passage hardly
wide enough to walk in, and few fee
deep.
And now, after a more careful ex
animation OF the crevasse out Of which
the thin Aim OF smoke rose. Old c!
began q search. Up and down eacl
narrow passwRy he peeped and peer
ed, but nowhere was a crack o
Granny to be found In their walls. II
places they were as high as his head
sheer faces of slate, then broken, ser
rated. mosscoated. or Of yellow, rust.
color. Here and there q Gtunted spruc,
had taken root In some crack, ant
over, back from the topmost ledge
this green enclosure began and con
tinued up the low mountain. Here
also, in q sunny nook below this belt
ing tangle OF scrub spruce, were am
pie signs OF trapper's occupation &
the way Of pelts stretched upon forke
sticks and hanging from a cord cross
ing this niche. They were of tn
usual species found in this wilderness
"a dozen muslkrat, with n few min
and otter skins and one lynx.
Another sign OF human presenc
was also noted, Tor mere log BnoWin
az marks, with split wood and chip
all about, was seen.
Some o. them pelts Is ourn." Oh
Cy calculated. gianclng at the array
can I've a notion we'd best hook o
TO 'em. Mebbe not. though he adde
q moment later. ut might git Us int
moro trouble"
But Ray was getting more and NOR
, uneasy each moment since they ha
. landed there. It seemed to him mos
! dangerous exploit. and while Old @
had hunted over this curious confuslo
Of slate lodges and stared at the risin
! aim OF smoke. Ray had coyertl
watched the lakes outlet.
Il don't think we'd better stay heI
, much longer" he said az last. wv
can't tell how soon that man ma
| aomo hack and catch un