The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-05-18
CHAPTER II-Continued


In silent companionship we followed
the valley of the Shenandoah and
crossed the Potomac two miles west
Of the C0nococheague and made camp
IN grove of oaks. While the squtr-
rels were broiling over the Goals.
Round Paw again renewed the white
paint Oh his chest. It struck me ns
peculiar that he should be so per
sistent In making himself tsfor war
when for once the Western country
was safe for the English and with hut
little likelihood OF the French and
their red allies ever being able 10
bring Us the red Ratchet,
The campaigns against Crown Point
and Niagara might fail for time, bus
the conquest of Duquesne was assured.
With that stronghold In our hands, we
should be freed from fear from the
heads of the Ohio to Lake Erie. Even
those Indians in western Pennsylvania
who were inclined to help the French
dare not take the warpath until they
knew the outcome of Bradd0ck's expe-
dition. So, If ever there was time
when the back-c0untry settlers felt
warranted In staying by their spring
crops and leaving the bl0ckh0nses I'M
occupied It was now. Yet Round Paw
kept his paint, fresh and was most
particular 10 dressing his hair.
AT the risk OF violating his sense
OF etiquette. remarked on the use.
lessness Of It all. Without ceasing
his iab0rs he told me: *
.Onasl and On0ntio-the governor
or Canada-are on a red path that Is
very long. More than one hunting
snow-mid-O ctober--will come before
the Ratchet Is buried"
I did not believe it.
We were up at sunrise and soon had
crossed the creek and turned north to
make McDowell's place. We had COW
cred mile or so when we came upon
"a most interesting spectacle. Two
men, with households around their
necks and their arms tied behind them,
were harnessed together with rawhide
thongs. and were being driven like a
team Of horses by a tall ungainly
youth. The driver held the lines in
one hand and fiourishel a drover's
long whip in the other. His light red
dish hair escaped In all directions
from his ragged fur hat and gave him
the appearance of being hugely sur
prised.
.What have the men doneg' ! In
quired, pausing and leaning on my
rife.
Ding them most mortality But
they've done enough" he cried. with q
side glance OF curiosity at the Indian.
aAnd don't have to tell every wild
man Of the woods what I'm doing. or
why I'm doing Il"
"That's true" agreed. "But we
can see what you're doing. My friend
here says they are E'renchmen and
that he believes you win boil and eat
them"
The poor devils set up a most dolor-
GUS bowling. The redhead scowled
with his eyes and laughed with his big
mouth. He hardly knew whether to
approve of Us, or take offense. But
the terror of his prisoners decided
him. and with loud guffaw he cried !:
'yThat would be fetching joke on
the two Of theml Billed in kettlel
Lords lawi But they would look com.
ical jammed in a kettIel"
Now THAT his temper was softened
be explained further:
These internal sc0undrels stole two
bells from Ben the Great cove drover
at the mill last night. I'm working
for him. The fools could "a got away
II they'd know'd enough to hide the
bells somewhere while they kept hid.
But they took the bells along with
them and foilered the noise and
caught them early this morning. Now
They're taking the bells back. Whoa.
hfshi Stand still there, you devil. or
III tan your jacket nineteen to the
10zeni' And to bind his promise he
cracked the whip and ELECTED rare
yell.
"In Gods great mercy. SIT, help US {"
ated the prisoner on the offside.
Ne was about to follow the Carlisle
road bound for Philadelphia. We'd
have no need for bells after we'd
reached ShippensbuFe or Carlisle. We
did but borrow them. He would have
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