The newspaper., 1908-03-20

Two nOuTS ldteT, anu just at sunset,
Mcclure returned to the lake.
AS usual, he, too. paused at the out
let to scan Its shores. He believed
himself utterly secure here, and
thought no human being was likely to
find this lakelet. But for all that. he
was watchful. Some exploring lum-
herman or some pioneer trapper might
cross this vast swamp and find this
lake during his absence.
A brief scrutiny assured him that he
was still safe from human eyes, and
he crossed the lake.
From the bare cliff a single keen
and vengeful eye watched him.
AS usual, also, Mcclure made his
landing at a convenient point, some SO
rods from his cave, and carried his
canoe up and turned 1t over, back of a
low-jutting ridge of slate. He skinned
the half-dozen prizes his traps had Sc
cured that day and followed a shallow
defile to his lair. Here his pelts were
stretched. a slab of slate was lifted
from its position in a deep. wide ere
vase between two of these lodges,
and MCGUIRE crswled into his den.
Most of these movements were OBJ
served by the half-breed, who, watch
ing ever while he plotted and planned
how best to catch his enemy unawares,
saw him emerge from amid the lodges
again, go down to the lake. return
with a pail of water and vanish once
more.
All this was a curious proceeding,
for he. like Old Cy. had expected 10
find Mcclure occupying some bark
shelter, and even now he supposed
there was one among this confusion OF
bare rocks.
Another surprise soon came to this
distant watcher. for he now saw a thin
column of smoke rise from ledge and
continue in varying volumne until hid
den by twilight.
And now. secure in his cave and
quite unconscious of the watcher with
murderous intent who had observed
his actions. Mcclure Was enjoying
himself He had built a little slate
fireplace within his cave. A funnel of
the same easily fitted material car
ried the smoke up to long. inch-wide
fssure in the roof. He had a table of
slate to eat from. handy by bed filled
with moss and dry grass. also pine
knots for needed light.
Opening into this small cave was
lesser one. always cool and dry. for no
rain nor melting snow could enter II.
and here Was McGuire's pantry. and
here also a half-dozen tin cans. safely
hidden under q slab OF slate. stuffed
with gold and banknotes-
To still further protect this inner
cave he had fitted a section OF slate
TO entirely Ill its entrance.
When the last yestige OF sunset had
vanished and twinkling stars were re
iected from the placid lake. the half
breed descended from his lookout
point and. launching his canoe. fol-
lowed close to the shadowed shore
and landed just above where Mcclure
disembarked. Indian that he was. he
chose the hours OF night and darkness
to crawl up TO the bark shelter which
he expected TO find. his intention being
TO thrust rife muzzle close to his
enemy's head and then pull the trig-
ger.
But TO do this required long wait
and extreme caution. His enemy sure
ly had a campfire behind a ledge. and
shelter as well. The smoke had seemed
to rise out OF a ledge. but certainly
could not. and so-still unaware OF
McGuire's position. yet sure that he
was amid these ledges. and near a
shelter-Pete grasped his rife and
crept ashore.
II was too early to surprise his
enemy-time to fall asleep must be
allowed. Yet so eager was the half
breed TO deal death to him. that he
must needs come here to wait No
chances must be taken when he did
crawl up TO his victim. for a false step
or the rattle of a loose stone. or his
form outlined against the stRrlit sky
as he crawled over a ledge. might mean
death to him instead of Mcclure. And
so. crouching safely in a dark nook
above the landing. Pete waited.
watched and listened.
One hour passed-it seemed two
and then the halfbreed crept stealth
lily up to where the smoke had been
seen. Not by strides. or even steps.
but as panther would. lifting one
foot and feeling where IL would rest
and then another. and all the while
listening and advancing again.
IL was McGuire's habit. while stay
ing here. to look at the weather pros
f.Ls IL