Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-04-15

on secrecy, no indian, sent with sup-
piles 10 tho WindiRo down river. ne
member OF a search party could be
allowed to escape and bring the news
to Eaiamme. That would remove the
element OF mystery spoil the plan
which had for its object. first, the
stampeding OF Lafiamme's ''bush" In
dams through superstitlona fear con
corning the fate OF their friends
Much as his two swart lieutenants
would have welcomed open war with
Lanamme, they agreed that the siege
OF Ogoke must be one OF secrecy and
craft. Once the Indians deserted. L.
would be possible gradually to pick
up any hunting parties by closing IN
and sending men to watch the trails
near the post, until Lahamme was
driven In self-defense TO leave. or they
took him With the post deserted. the
Ojlbways OF the upper valley would
bring their fur to Walllng River for
the Christmas trade. and 81. Onge's
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 lo-
cate a camp near Ogoke. from which |
all trails taken by hunting parties to
the back country could be watched.
for Laflamme 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 sinlster-faced half-breed and
an Indian. shoulders and elbows
thrust stiffiy back. and Steele saw that
heir upper arms were bound together
With rawhide.
"where did you pick these upr
lsked Steele.
''Dey hunt cen de beeg spruce bush
lear de pos"
Then Steele learned, while David
tie his supper. that with the aid Of
heir skinning knives as threats. the
after and Michel had finally forced
he half-breed to talk. The failure OF
1erre, who had been away a month,
o return TO the post was worrying
.anamme. Two men. one following
be other, had been sent downriver
D learn what had become of the two
VIndlgo. The first scout now was
ing overdue. Already some OF tn
indians had left In the night with
heir families. The others were ready
D stampede. Something was the /.
latter In the lower valley Of the
falling.
As Michel desired to see his chief :
once. Steele left In the mornlr :
18th two men.
In the thick timber OF a little valley \
We miles back Of the post, Steele !,
'und the camp OF Michel. A we'll =,
aveled trail to the country hunted n
? the post people ran within r,
lie. and was constantly watched. h,
ere they had picked up the prison m
> brought back by David, and, as a,
e post depended for meat on the s,
pose OF the region beyond, here the 2,
atty Michel knew he would get the q
archers sent by Lailamme to =fHd RI
9 missing men. And when, In b,
ne. the search party In turn disap- to
AIRED into the mysterious nav Of
Q wilderness. the Iroquois was sat q.
led that q nameless dread would -
ter the hearts of the people OF
goke. Already six men had gone out
I'm the post, never to return, and -.
len they had got this search party, 80
told Steele, he doubted II an In -
IN would dare remain. -
(To BIZ coNTINUED.l ~