The Washington herald., 1912-04-07

possibly true enough, but il is long
distance from here to Wills Creek and
an Indian will not travel when his
stomach's empty"
"Yes, yes" put in Adam Poe. What
the boy says is truth. Let us hasten to
Our place for fishing, Tommy, and take
along Our rifles in case OF accident"
At this the trapper did not seem to
be angered In stead, he smiled good
naturedly upon the trio, pulled out a
corn-cob pipe and lighted il with a coal
from the fire, and, as they filed out
underneath the rough-hewn gateway to-
ward the river, they saw him 'lazily
squatting upon the sunny side of the
surveyors house and playing with lit
tie maltese kitten, which busily chased
a wisp of straw that he dangled before
her.
For some time the boys pushed on
ward in silence toward the fishing
grounds, and at last debouched from
a well-marked and well-used game trail
into clearing near the river Deposit
ing their rifles upon the ground, they
quickly unslung the canvas bags which
held the bait and tackle and soon had
their poles dangling over the running
surface of the stream Tommy took of
his moccasins and rolled up his buck
skin breeches. and he whipped the water,
and soon had waded far down the cur
rent and out Of hearing from the school,
master and Jack, who fished along to-
gether with indifferent success
As they slowly went down the stream
they caught several trout in pools which
Tommy seemed to have whipped unsuc-
cessfully. This pleased old Adam Poe
quite well, and he kept repeating. old
Isaac Walton says, as | have often told
you boys" to fish patiently il YOU would
have. luck and to take plenty of tmc-a
plenty il you would make big catch"
Yes, you have told me that quite
Often" answered Jack; and then he sud-
has gone before u.s." he continued. point
ing to the print Of his foot in the sandy
soil OF little bar"
"Yes, that is true" said the school,
master as he placed fresh worm upon
his hook. But" he suddenly ejacu-
lated, pointing down at the tell-tale sand.
What is that-and thatp
Jack followed the line OF his finger
and saw plainly indented in the moist
earth the imprint of another larger foot.
Ii was going in the same direction as
that of little Tommy and il was clothed
in a moccasin The same thought came
to him and to the good old schoolmaster,
at that instant, for, as he turned to go
up stream, Adam Poe whispered to
him. Quick the rifles, boy, and all the
ammunition. | will stay here for the
time being, but haste thee, haste thee,
with all the speed at thy command, for
| fear that they may get him before
you can get back oh, hasten. hasten!"
But there was no need of speeding the
frightened Jack, who ran rapidly up the
bed of the brook to where they had left
the rifles and picked them up with a
great lump OF nervous terror in his
throat. What il it were a Wappito-
mica" he kept saying to himself, "and
II he should get him before we could
arrive. oh Tommy, Tommy, take care
OF yourself, for you are in a dangerous
predicament."
In a few moments he had turned and
was coming down the stream to where
the schoolmaster crouched behind some
willow trees looking ,intently down the
water in the direction which Tommy had
taken. Il could see nothing" he said
softly, as Jack handed him his rife.
But these moccasin feet seem to follow
the boy like panther. Now let us go
on speedily or we will be too late to
save him."
so saying he started down the stream,
keeping well within the sandy places,
and at length reached large bend in
the water course, the sides of which
were. densely wooded. Here the prints
of Tommy's feet could be seen going
around the bend at the waters edge
while the prints of the moccasin plainly
led into the underbrush and there dis
appeared With their hearts in their
mouths the tw1 rescuers ran quickly to
the Jutting point, and, looking around
the other side, they were overjoyed 10
see the form of Tommy as he carefully
and slowly went down the stream, whip
ping the pools and eddies with the care
OF an expert and conscientious angler.
Tommy Tommy ~ called Adam Poe.
Quick. Come back Come back to us =
Why, what's the matter. Mr.. Poer
said Tommy, gently raising his pole from
the water. Il don't see anything to
give you such alarm" But as he spoke
an answer came which innressed Ilnon