Mexico Missouri message., 1908-01-30
CHAPTER XII.


10 this lake were we'll adapted for the
habitat of mink. muskrat. otter. fisher,
and those large fur.bearlng animals,
the lynx and lucivee.
Old Cy. familiar as he was with the
homes. habits, and the manner OF
catching these cunning animals. soon
began his trap-setting campaign. A
few dozen steel traps were FIRST set
along the stream and lagoons entering
the lake. and then he and Ray pushed
up Beaver brook, and leaving their
canoe, followed its narrow valley in
search Of suitable spots to set the more
elaborate deadfalls.
As gathering was also a part OF
their seasons plan. they now left the
swamp valley. and, ascending the
spruce-clad upland, began this work.
There was also another element that
entered into the trapping and gum.
gathering llfe.-the possible return Of
the half.breed.
He hain't nothin' agin u.s." Old Cy
asserted, when the question came up.
I'VE didn't chase him the day he stole
Chip. n yet l s'pose he'll show up
some day. n mebbe do us harm"
II was this fear that had led Old Cy
20 leave one Of their canoes In a log
locker securely barred. and also to
caution the hermit TO remain on guard
at the cabin while he and Ray were
away.
A canoe Is the one most vital need
OF wildwood life. for the reason that
the streams are the only avenues of
escape and AFFORD the only opportuni.
ties for travel.
Old Cy knew, or at least he felt al.
most sure, that the halG-breed would
return in good time. He had also rea.
soned out his failure to do so at onco,
and knew that left canoeless, az he
had been that tragic day, his only
course must be the one he actually
followed. A month had elapsed since
then, with no sign OF this variants"
return, and now Old Cy was on the
watch for Il.
They had first visited the small traps
near the lake. securing a couple OF
mink and three muskrats, which were
left In the canoe. An otter was found
in one of the deadfalls, and taking shis
with them. they entered the spruce
timber and hung IL on n conspicuous
limb. Then the search for gum began.
AS usual. they worked hard. The
days were short, the best OF sunlight
was needful to see the brown gum
nuts in the somber forest, and so they
paid no heed to aught except what
was overheard. When time to return
arrived, Old cy picked up his rife and
led the way back to where the otter
had been left, but II had vanished.
Glancing about to make sure that he
was right, he advanced 20 the tree,
looked down, and saw two footprints.
Shopping over TO examine them better
in the uncertain light. he noted also
that they were not his own, but larger,
and made by some one wearing boots.
''Tain't the half.breed." he muttered.
with an accent OF relief. and looking
about he saw a well-dellned trail lead
ing down the slope and thence onward
toward the swamp.
Some one had crossed this broad,
oval, spruce-covered upland while they
were not 200 rods away from this tree,
had stolen their otter and gone on
into the swamp.
Amy freshly made human footprint
found in a vast wilderness awakens
curiosity; these seemed omlnoua.
He must a. seen us fore he did tho
otter" Old Cy calculated, can it's
eRris ne didn't make himself known.
Neightors amt over pleaty. here
about"
But the sun was nearing the tree
tops. the csnoe war a mile away, ana
after one more look around. OLD Cy
started for a. There was no uso IA
following this tran now. for Il led lnto
the tangled swamp. and 20, stdrtinE
iilis until I point opposite the canoe
was reached. Ola cy and rag than
plnaeed into n
Twilight had begun 20 uhh1ow thls
yalr ere tho canoe wna fseeAe1 AID
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