Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-03-19
CHAPTER W.-continued.

CHAPTER Vl.-continued.
"It's the spites," whispered Chip to
Ray. They allus act that way when
it's stormin'."
The lex day the gale began to
lessen, and by night the moon, o
half-full, peeped out of the scurrying
clouds. At bedtime 1T was smiling Sc
renely, we'll 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 1t 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! If
that cuss hain't swiped 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
varmint!"
But Martin was angry, thoroughly
angry, at the audacious insolence of
the theft, and the thought that just
now this sneaking h~alf-breed was
doubtless enjoying drilled venison and
roast partridge in some secure shell
ter. 1t also opened his eyes to the
fact that this chap would hang about,
watching his chance, until they
started out of the wilderness, and
then capture the girl if he could. For
a little while Martin pondered over
the situation and then announced his
plans.
There's law, and officers to exc
cute it," he said, eff a sufficient re-
ward be offered; and tomorrow you
and !, Levi, will start for the settle
ment and fetch a couple in. I'll glad
iy give $500 to land this sneak behind
the bars. If he cant be caught, we
can at least have two officers to guard
us going out"
All that day he and Levi spent III
hunting. Another deer was captured,
more birds secured, and when evening
came plans to meet the situation were
discussed.
"You or Ray rsAlst remain on guard
daytimes nea the cabin" Martin said
to Old Cy. my wife and Chip had
better keep in it, or near it most OF
the time; and both of you must sleep
there nights. One or the other can
fish or hunt, as needed. We must be
gone a week or more, even if we have
good luck; but fetching the officers
here Is the best plan now"
Levi was up early the next morn
ing, and had the best canoe packed fol-
a hurry trip ere. breakfast was ready
No tent was to be taken, only blank
cts, a rifle, a bag of the simplest cook
ing utensils, pork, bread and coffee
A modest outfit-barely enough tt
sustain life, yet all a woodsman car
ries when a long canoe journey witt
many carries must be taken.
There were sober faces at the land
ing when Martin was ready to star
Chip most sober of all-for now she
realized as never before how serious
a burden she had become.
No time was wasted in good-bys
Martin grasped the bow paddle, ant
with "Old Faithful" Levi welding thu
stern one, they soon crossed the lax
and vanished at it's outlet.
And now, also, for the first time
Angie realized how much the presenc,
of these two strong and resourcefu
men meant to her. All that day sh,
and Chip chung to the cabin, Will,
Old Cy, a long, lanky Leatherstock
ing, patrolled the premises, rifle II
hand.
1--WE hain't a mite O. cause t
worry" he said when nightfall drey
e "The pesky varmint's a coz
ard, n knows guns are plenty here
an we folks handy in usin' EN-. w
rugged a fish line to the ice house doc
so it'll rattle some tinware in the cal
in II he NEEDLES 1t again. / slice
with one eye m both ears open, an
he comes prowlin' round night-times
he'll hear bullets whizzin' an thin.
Fourth O Juiy's opened up arly."
But for all his cheerful assurance
time passed slowly, and a sense o
real danger oppressed Angie and Chi
as we'll. Ray shared it also. H
was not as yet hardened to the wilder
ness, and like all who are thus tender
its vast somber solitude seemed on
inous.
Only the hermit, with his moonlik
eyes and impassive ways, showed n
sign Of trouble. What this half-bree
wanted, other than food, he SCENE
not to understand; and while h
helped about the camp work and 70
lowed Old Cy like q dog, he was d
no other aid.
One, two, three days of watchft
guard and evenings when even OF
Cy's cheerful philosophy or Ray
banjo failed to dispel the gloom, an
then, Just as the sun was setting ono
W - ~1s- VI ~ .-4A1.N -.