The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-10-03

morning and twice he left Jack 90
tracks. Solomon could initiate the
call Of the swamp robin. and when
they were separated In the bush, ne
gave II so that his friend could locate
him. AT midday they sat down In deep
shade by the side OF a brook and ate
their luncheon.
This ere is Peppermint brook" said
Solomon "It's mother one O. my tav-
ems"
sour food isn't going TO last long at
the rate we are eating IL" Jack re-
marked. III we can't shoot gun what
are we going to do when it's all gomez"
| Don't worry" Solomon answered
"Ye're in my kenfry now an there's a
better tavern up In the nigh trail"
They Jared along, favored by good
4 weather, and spent that night on the
shore of little pond not more than
| fifty PAGES Off the old blazed thorough
fare. Next day. about halfway from
dawn TO dark" as Solomon was wont.
now and then. to speak of the noon
sign" 1t was where the big north
trail from the upper waters of the
Mohawk joined the one near which
they had been travelling. When they
were approaching the point Solomon
had left Jack in thlcket and eau
tiously crept out to the "juncshln."
There was half an hour of silence be-
fore the old scout came back In sight
and beckoned to Jack. His face had
never looked more serious. The young
man approached him. Solomon swal-
lowed-a part of the effort to restrain
his emotions.
want to show We suthin'." he whis-
pered.
The two went cautiously toward the
trail When they reached 1t the old
scout led the way to soft ground near
a brook. Thea he pointed down at
the mud. There were many foot
prints, newly made, and among them
the print of that wooden peg with an
iron ring around its bottom. which
they had seen twice before, and which
was associated with the blacklist mem
cries they knew. For some time Solo
mon studied the surface of the trail
in silence.
"Alore'n twenty Injuns two captives.
a pair o. bosses, a cow an the devil"
he whispered to Jack Been raid
down to the Mohawk valley. The COW
an the bosses are loaded with plum
der I've noticed that when the In
juns go out to rob an kill folks We find,
'mong their tracks, the print o. that
ere iron ring. l seen It twice in the
Ohio kentry Here is the heart O. the
devil an his fire-water Red Snout
has got to be started on a new trail.
His oil peg leg is goin' down to the
gate O hell tonight"
Solomon's face had darkened with
anger There were deep burrows
across his brow.
Standing before Jack about three |
feet away. he drew out his ram rod |
and tossed 1t to the young man, who
caught it a little above the middle. |
Jack knew the meaning of this. They
were to put their hands upon the ram
rod, one above the other. The last
hand it would hold was to do the
killing. 1t was Solomon's
Thank God !" he whispered, as his
face Frightened
He seemed to be taking careful aim
with his right eye.
ITS my job" Said he. 81 wouldn't
"a let We do 1t If ye'd orawed the
fan
amt an hour ahead. Mebbe-it's jest
possible-he may go to sleep tonight
fore do, an | wouldn't be surprised
They'll build their fire at the caverns
on Rock crick an roast a captive.
Wen cross the bush an come up on
t other side an see what's goin' on
They crossed a high ridge, with Sol
ONION tossing his feet in that long,
loose stride of his, and went down
the slope into a broad valley. The
sun sank low and the Unreasonable
house of the wild was
dim and dusk when the old scout halt
ed. Ahead in the distance they had
heard voices and the neighing Of
horse
my son. said Solomon as he pointed
With his finger. do you see the brow o.
he hill yonder whar the black thickets
pep
Jack nodded.
IF We hear to me yen stay this side.
This ere business is kind o. neevarious.
I'm a-goin' clus up. If ! come back
Te'l hear the call O. the bush owl. II
don't come fore mornin you pint fer
lum an the good God go with ye."
81 shall go as far as you CO." Jack
answered.
Solomon spoke sternly. The genial
one of good comradeship had left
lin.
"Ye kin go, but We amt obleeged,"
aid he. Bear in mind, boy. Tonight
m the cap'n Do as tell ye-exact."
(To BE CONTINUED)
Assuming the Blame