The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-06-11

q Al6AI Cdlup ACIc Was D. yCllOW
tinge to the intervening water, sug.
gestive of shallowness, and l spoke
first.
ut will be dark in a few minutes
more; isn't that a cambridge leading
out yonder?"
1T looks so to me-" he replied quiet.
ly, but the only sure way to tell is to
test the passage. In my judgment we
better get out there If we can, for
there's no KNOWN where these Injuns
may be-"
He led the way, and we followed in
single file, our packs and rifles held
high overhead. The water deepened
until it reached Schultz's armpits, but
there was no perceptible current, and
the sand underfoot was firm as rock.
Deep purple shadows seemed to shut
us in, as we clambered up the steep
bank of the island, our clothes drip
ping. Brady with outstretched hand
helped me to climb, clinging with his
other to a sapling. Then he pointed
across the darkened surface toward
the lower end of the lake. In the dis
lance there was the red glow of fire,
barely visible.
The island was wider than had sup
posed, and must have contained fully
five acres, densely wooded, with no
sign of trail anywhere. Apparently
we were the first explorers to pene-
trate its thickets. Suddenly we came
to the edge of a small opening, sloping
down like saucer, grass covered and
treeless, open to the sky, but with
dark irregular something at it's cen
ter. So shapeless was this black blotch
that took it at first to be a clump of
brush, but the scout gripped my arm.
Hayward! there's log housed" he
| whispered, pointing. do you see?
Keep the Dutchman back"
l dropped to my knees, and studied
the dim outline, which the night rem
dered SO indistinct Little by little it
assumed more definite shape-a one
| story log hut, with an extension at the
rear, and an outside chimney forking
up beside the roof. 1t was a gloomy
looking place, with no glimmer of light
showing anywhere.
NAoC w yOu VI IL oohOO
Brady in whisper, as though doubt
ing his own eyes.
| ITS a house, all right" answered.
Some French hunters shack"
He shook his head negatively.
"They don't build like that 1t beats
| me, but whoever built that house put it
up to live in. Howsomever don't see
| no sign O. anybody thar now, an I'm
| l goin' ter find out what the shebang
looks like. Dutchy, you stay yere, an
watch these things, while the two O.
us scouts round Bit"
STOPPING low, so as not to be so
easily perceived in the darkness, the
two of us, grasping our rifles in readi-
| ness, stole across the open space to-
ward the house. There was no sign of
life so far as could be seen or heard,
yet if the place was deserted it could
not have been for long, as there we're
no appearances of decay or abandon
ment of the premises. The log walls
were firm, the clay between resisting
the pressure of our fingers in an at
tempt to dislodge it, and the only door
noticed was tightly closed. We hest
tated to open this, uncertain what
mystery might await us within, and
listening anxiously for any sound. The
stiffness was so profound as to be pain
full, and, whispering to me to stand
back, with rifle poised Brady silently
lifted the strong wooden latch. The
door slid back in grooves, the sound of
movement barely perceptible, and we
stared into the black interior, seeing
nothing except a little section Of dirt
floor, dimly revealed by the stars over
head.
We'll feel it out, boy" muttered the
scout his hand gripping my arm. mo
body at home. l reckon, but it won't do
to risk light. You take that side, an
I'll take this, an see what we find"
moved forward slowly, foot by foot,
feeling blindly with one hand, the other
grasping my rifle. l came to rude
bench, homemade without nails,
touched small table with crossed
legs, holding nothing but an empty
pewter bowl, felt the shaggy skin of
some animal fastened against the log
wall, and then few articles of warm
clothing dangling from wooden pins
These were rough garments, made of
skins, with single coarse shirt. Be-
yond them my fingers came in contact
with the latch of door. AS touched
this the menacing growl of some ami.
NAL broke the intense stiffness.
stepped back, startled, unnerved, and
in my recoil, came into contact with a
man. A hand like iron gripped me
but it was Brady's voice that spoke:
From the other room,'' he said
shortly, "a dog"
"a dog! Then why hasn't he
barked?"
; Because he is not that kind,
reckon; a big brute from his growl
: Did you find anything?"
, told him briefly.
Fireplace on my side, two chairs
and an AK in the corner" he added
shortly. Nobody home but the dog,
reckon, but we will have to fight it Out