The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-23
CHAPTER VIII
A Meeting in the Forest

| his companion were battling hare
against the acceleration Of the cur
rent. when the Indian gave a grunt
and looked round.
What is it, Joe?" asked Ainley
quickly.
Man with canoe" answered the
Indian laconicaly. HE make a por
tage."
we must speak to him, Joe! Per
haps ne has news" said Ainley quick
/ ly, and a second later shouted at the
/ top Of his voice. "Hal-lo-o-op'
( That the man heard the hail was
sure for both Of them, saw him halt
and turn to look downstream, but
/ the next moment he turned and, con-
/ tinuing his journey, was instantly
/ lost in the thick of the trees.
THAT was queer" said Ainley. He
| heard me. but whoever he is he doesn' Z
want to speak to US"
I'VE catch him. " replied the Indian.
Make land below the meeting of the
waters, and portage through woods TO
other river. Meet him there"
AS he spoke the native began TO
make a course across the river, and
Both go the same way" grunted
the Indian Walk to meet the man.
We make short portage and wait for
him across the water. He come and
we meet him"
After half a nhour's steady trudg.
! ing through the woods they came in
sight Of the water once more and set
| their burdens down behind a screen
Of bushes.
We first" said the Indian after a
cautious survey OF the empty river.
Wait! He come"
I'VE viii cross the river" said Ain
ley. I'VE will go look for him.
Good said the Indian.
/ Five minutes later they were afloat
once more. and in a few minutes had
Is Edec on the farther side.
You stop here with the canoe, Joe"
said Ainley. picking up his rife. I'm
go and hunt up the fellow. If you
hear me call. come along at once"
He had been walking less than ten
minutes when he caught sight of the
canoe lying directly in his way. with
the man who had been carrying IL.
seated on the ground with his back
against a tree. smoking. As the man
caught sight Of him he started to his
feet and stretched his hand toward a
gun reposing against a trunk. Hold
[ iEg his own rife ready for action. Ain
ley shouted reassuring words to the
man, and then moved quickly forward.
The man. a half-breed, the same man
who had stolen Stances canoe. gave
one keen glance at him and then drop
ping his hand from the gun. awaited
his coming.
Why did you run away when I
shouted a while back2" asked Ainley
sharply.
Il not run" answered the half.
breed, insolently. II carry the ca
noe, an 1 unk not wait. Dat Is
ALL"
Ainley looked at horn He was sure
the nan was lying. but 1t was no
affair Of his, and after a moment he
turned to his main purpose.
I wanted to ask you something. "
he said "A white girl has been lost
on the river-she is a niece Of a great
man In the company. and I am look
ing for her. Have you seen herr"
Ainley described Helen Yardelv IN
the best Of his ability, watching the
others evil face whilst he did so. and
before he had ended guessed that the
man knew something of the girl he
was seeking
You have seen her?' he cried alb.
ruptly.
OUR replied the half-breed. 81
hat seen her, one, two, tree DAVIS ago
She is in canoe on zee river" he
pointed toward the water as he spoke.
and waved his hand toward the south.
She is YER beautiful; an I watch
her for zee pleasure, vous conprenez?
And anoder man he watched also I
see him. an 1 see him shoot with zee
gun-onee. twice he shoot"
you saw him?" asked Ainley. in
faltering voice. who was he?"
II not know" answered the half
breed quickly, but tink 1 see heem
again since"
You think"
"Ouil I tink talk with heem,
now"
~"You think? Then you think
/ wrong. and 1 wouldn't say that again
I if I were you. 1t might lead to sud
/ den trouble. If I We're the man who
/ fired those shots why should I be
/ spending my time looking for her
as 1 ann"
Il not know" said the half-breed
/ sullenly.
I No, 1 should think not; so you
| had better put that nonsense out OF
/ your head, now, once for all; for if
you go about telling that mad tale
/ you'll surely be taken for a mailman
and the mounted police" He broke
off as a flash of fear manifested it
/ self in the half-breed's face, then he
/ smiled maliciously. II see you do
not like the police, though I daresay
they would ike to meet you. hey?"
! The man stood before him dumb,
and Ainley, convinced that he had
! stumbled on the truth, laughed harsh
/ " 'Stoney Mountain Penitentiary
+ is not a nice place. The silent places
of the North are better; but If I
heaasof you breathing a word of that
rot YOU were talking Just now. I will
unA1a