Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-01-18

marked the location Of the trail, and
then began to slip like a shadow
through the grass and from bush to
bush. He saw bright light before ne
made out the dark outline Of the
cabin. Then he heard voices, a merry
whistle, a coarse song, and the clink
of iron cooking utensils. He smelled
fragrant wood smoke. He saw NOV
ing dark figures cross the light. Evf-
IDENTIFY there was wide door, or else
the fire was out in the open.
Duane swerved to the left, out Of
direct line with the light, and thus was
able to see better. Then he advanced
noiselessly but swiftly toward the back
of the house. There were trees close
to the wall He would make no poise,
and he could scarcely be Seen-if only
there was no watchdog! But all his
outlaw days he had taken risks With
only his useless life at stake; now,
with that changed, he advanced,
stealthy and bold as an Indian. de
reached the cover of the trees, knew
he was hidden in their shadows, for
at few PAGES distance he had been
able to see only their tops. From
there he slipped up to the house and
felt along the wall with his hands.
He came to a little window where
light shOne through. He peeped in.
He saw a room shrouded in shadows.
a lamp turned low, a table, chairs.
He saw an open door, with bright flare
beyOLd. but could not see the fire.
Voices came indiStinctly. He went on
round that end Cb the cabin. Fortune
favored him. There were bushes, an
old shed, a Wood-pile, all the cover
he needed at that corner. He did not
even need to crawl.
Before he peered between the rough
corner of wall and the bush growing
close to it, Duane paused a moment.
This excitement was different from
that he had always felt when pursued
1t had no bitterness, no pain, no dread.
There was as much danger here, per-
hapS more, yet it was not the same.
Then be looked.
He saw a bright fire, red-faced
man bending over it, whiStling, while
he handled a steaming pot. Over him
was rooted shed built against the
wall with two open sides and two
supporting posts Duane's second
glance, not so blinded by the sudden
bright light, made out other men,
three in the shadow, two in the flare,
but with backs to him.
cts a smoother trail by long odds,
but amt so short as this one right
over the mountain" one outlaw was
saying.
whats eatin' you, Panhandle?"
calculated another blossom an me
rode from PARKWAY Springs, where
POggin is with some of the gang"
Excuse me, Phil. Shore 7 didn't
see you come in, an BoIdt never said
nothin"
1T took you long time to get here,
but [ guess that's just as we'll" spoke
up a smooth, suaye voice with a ring
in it.
Longstreth's voice = Cheseldine's
voice!
Here they were-Cheseldine, Phil
Knell Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, BoIdt-how well Duane remem-
bered the names all here, the big
men Of Cheseldine's gang, except the
biggest-POggin. Duane had hOled
them, and his sensations of the mo-
ment deadened sight and sound of
what was before him. He sank down,
controlling himself, silenced mount
ing exultatiOn then from less strain
ed position he peered forth again.
The outlaws were waiting for sup
per- Their conversation might have
been that of cowboys in camp, ranch
ers at roundup. Knell sat there,
tall, slim, like a boy in years. with his
pale, smooth, expressionless face and
cold, gray eyes. And LOngstreth, who
leaned against the wall, handsome,
with his dark face and beard like an
aristOcrat. resembled many q rich
Louisiana planter Duane had met.
Panhandle Smith carried pots ana
pans into the cabin, and cheerfully
called out: eff you gents air hungry
fer grub, don't look fer me to feed
you with a SPOON
The outlaws piled inside, made a
great hustle and clatter as they sat
to their meal. Like hungry men, they
talked little
Duane waited there for a while, then
guardedly got up anal crept round to
the other side of the cabin, After he
became used to the dark again he
ventured to steal along the wall to the
window and peeped in. The outlaws
were in the first room and could not
be seen.
Duane waited. The moments
dragged endlessly. His heart pound
ed. Longstreth entered, turned up the
light, and taking a box of cigars from
the table, he carried it out.
Here, you fellows, go outside and
smoke" he said. ''Knell, come in
now. Let's get it over"
He returned, sat down and lighted
cigar for himself. He put his boot
ed feet on the table.
Duane saw that the room was COM
fortably, even luxuriously furnished.
There must have been good TRAIL
he thought, else how could all that
stuff have been packed in there. Then
Knell came in and seated himself
without any of his chiefs ease. He