Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-03-12

the arrival of galloping dog teams
from the east, south and west, driven
by lean, wlld-looking Otibways, keen
for the adventure-picked men, chosen
by their people for their endurance on
the winter trails, their proved nerve
and their bush craft" When the last
team had come in, Jacques was sent
down river with letter and orders
to meet the party later on the Upper
Wailtng, with sled-lOad of supplies
Steele then outlined his plan tc the
Indians.
Dividing into four parties they were
to proceed up the Wailing valley BY
different routes to avoid betraying
ine1r purpose IL seen by any or La
f1amme's people. 1t was probable
that the trader had sent more than
one man to spread terror of the Win
digO through the country, although
there was small chance that he had
at OgOke another Indian with the
marvellous initiative faculty Of Pierre.
Therefore on their way to the lake,
the hunters were to visit the trap
ping camps to learn Of the possible
activity of other night hoWlers in the
region, whom they were to hunt down
Soon, when their man failed to re-
turn, the people of Laflamme would
taste their own medicine. Fear of the
unknown fate which had overtaken
Pierre and the rest would slowly chill
their blood. And when their search
parties did not come back, their
hearts would soften as the ice rOts
under the April sun, and the Indian
and half-breed followers of the trad
er would steal away In the night as
men shun the smallpox. Then it
would be an easy matter to rush the
post, take Laflamme, Big Antoine and
Baptiste, and send them to the rail
road for trial.
Including the Indians which David
and Steele saw In October, they es-
timated that Latiamme had twelve or
fifteen men at the post. AS the sue
cess Of the whole venture depended
on secrecy, no Indian, sent with sup
plies to the Windigo down river, no
member Of search party could be
allowed to escape and bring the news
to Lafamme That would remove the
element of mystery-spoil the plan,
which had for its object, first, the
stampeding Of Laf1ammes "bush" In
dians through superstitious fear con-
cerning the fate of their friends.
Much as his two swart lieutenants
would have welcomed open war with
Laflamme, they agreed that the siege
of Ogoke must be one Of secrecy and
craft. Once the Indians deserted, it
would be possible gradually to pick
up any hunting parties by closing in
and sending men to watch the trails
near the post, until Lafamme was
driven in self-defense to leave, or they
took him. With the post deserted, the
Ojibways of the upper valley would
bring their fur to Wailing River for
the Christmas trade, and st. Onges
future was assured.
For two days the impatient men
waited for a dog-team from the post,
eighteen miles up the lake, to pass
the outlet. Then Michel and David,
taking Wagosh and two Of the hunt
ers, started through the forest to To-
cate a camp near Ogoke, from which
all trails taken by hunting parties to
the back country could be watched,
for Lafiamme would need much meat
to feed his people.
Days passed with no news from
Michel Steele was disturbed, but he
had three men out hunting meat and
could not leave the outlet. Then, one
afternoon at dusk, David came In be-
hind his dogs. Ahead Of the team,
breaking trail In the new snow,
walked a sinister-fa half-breed and
an Indian, shoulders and elbows
thrust stiffiy back, and Steele saw that
their upper arms were bound together
with rawhide.
"Where did you pick these upr'
asked Steele.
"Dey hunt cen de beeg spruce bush
near de pos"
Then Steele learned, while David
ate his supper, that with the aid of
their skinning knives as threats, the
latter and Michel had finally forced
the half-breed to talk. The failure Of
Pierre, who had been away month,
to return to the post was worrying
Lafiamme. Two men, one following
the other, had been sent downriver
to learn what had become of the two
Windigo. The first scout now was
long overdue. Already some Of the
Indians had left in the night with
their families The others were ready
to stampede. Something was the
matter In the lower valley of the
Wailing.
AS Michel desired to see his chief
at once, Steele left in the morning
with two men.
In the thick timber Of little valley
FIVE miles back Of the post, Steele
found the camp of Michel. A we'll
Travelled trail to the country hunted
IL