Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-30

The fear OF rifles. which he knew
were plenty enough at this camp, was
the only factor to be considered. For
days be watched the camp from
across the lake. hoping that the girl
he saw canoeing with a boy so often
might come near enough for him to
make a capture. Many times when
darkness served, he padded close TO
where the cabin stood. and once land
ed and watched it for hours.
Growing holder, as the days wore
on. he hid his canoe below the outlet
Of the lake and taking advantage OF
this outcropping slate ledge with its
many assures, secreted himself and
watched.
But some shelter, al least to cook
and eat in. he must have. and this he
found in a distant crevasse Of this
same ledge. and from this he sneaked
along back OF IL until he could hide
and watch the camp below. From this
vantage-pcint he saw that the girl no
longer went out upon the lake. but re-
NAMED near the cabin; then. later. he
noticed the two men leave the lake one
morning This encouraged him. and
now be grew still holder. even de-
soending the ridge and watching those
remaining AZ the cabin, from dense
thicket.
From this new post he saw that but
one man seemed on guard. and almost
was he tempted TO shoot him from
ambush and make n dash 20 capture
his victim. Cautious and cunning. he
still waited a chance involving less
risk.
And now he saw that certain duties
were performed by these people: that
one man and the boy always started
the morning fire; that the girl invari-
ably went 20 the landing alone for wa
ter, at about the same time. Here for
the moment she was out OF sight from
either cabin. and now In this act OF
hers. he saw his opportunity 10 land
from his canoe near this spot before
daylight, and hide IN the bushes firing
ing the shore here and below the bank.
watch bis chance and seize and gag
her before an outcry could be made
To tie her hands and feet and to push
the other canoe out into the lake, thus
avoiding pursuit until they could get a
good start. was an easy matter.
II was risky. OF course. She might
hear or see him IN time 20 give one
scream. The old man who had said
foolish things to him. and now seem
ed 90 be on guard. would surely send
bullets after him as he sped away:
but once out OF the lake. he would
be safe. 10 was a dangerous act; yet
the other two men might return any
day. and with this IN prospect. this
wiley halfbreed now resolved TO act
old Cy was MP early that fatal
morning. Somehow a sense OF Inn
pending danger haunted him. and call
ing Ray. he unlocked the cabin door
and began starting the morning fire.
He wanted TO get breakfast out OF the
way as speedily as possible. and then
visit this ridge. feeling almost sure
that he would find where this half
breed had been watching them.
When Ray came out and before the
hermit OF Chip appeared. Old Cy hur-
ried over 10 the ice-house. and now
Chip came forth as usual. and with
our word 90 anyone. she took the
two pals and started for the landing.
It was. perhaps. ten rods 90 this. down
narrow path winding through the
scrub spruce. The morning was fair.
the lake without a ripple.
Above the ridge. and peeplug
through its toppingof stunted FIR. came
the first glance OF the sun. and Chip
was happy
old Tomah, her one and only friend
FOR many years. was here. a some
thing Ray had whispered the night be-
fore, now returned like a sweet note
OF music vibrating IN her heart. and as
II TO add their cheer. the birds were
piping an about
For weeks the cheerful words OF one
OF Rays songs had haunted her with
its catchy rhythm
Oar Vas Vas, an oil, old niger and his name was
He died long 40. long go"
They now rose 90 her lips as she neared
the lake. Here she halted. filed a
pail. and set II on the log landing.
From behind a low spruce one evil.
sinister eye watched her.
And now Chip. still humming this
ditty, glanced up at the rising sun and
out over the lake.
a crouching form with hideous face
now emerged from behind the bush;