White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-05-25
CHAPTER II-Continued

IL -
In silent companionship we followed
the valley of the Shenandoah and
crossed the Potomac two miles west
Of the Conococheague and made camp
In grove of oaks. While the squir-
rels were broiling over the Goals,
Round Paw again renewed the white
paint Oh his chest. 1t struck me as
peculiar that he should be so per-
sistent in making himself fit for war
when for once the Western country
was safe for the English and with but
little likelihood of the French and
their red allies ever being able to
bring US the red Ratchet.
The campaigns against Crown Point
and Niagara might fail for time, but
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 Braddock's expe.
dition. So, If ever there was a time
when the back-country settlers felt
warranted In staying by their spring
crops and leaving the blockhouses un.
occupied 1t was now. Yet Round Paw
kept his paint fresh and was most
particular In dressing his hair.
At the risk of violating his sense
of etiquette, l remarked on the use
lessness of 1t all. Without ceasine
his Iabors he told me-:
"Onas and Onontio-the governor
OF Canada-are on red path that Is
very long. More than one hunting
snow-mid- October-will come before
the Ratchet is buried"
| did not believe it.
We were up at sunrise and soon ha(
crossed the creek and turned north tt
make McDowell's place. We had GOV
cred a mile or so when we came upor
most interesting spectacle TIVE
men, with households around thei
necks and their arms tied behind them
were harnessed together with rawhid
thongs, and were being driven like
team of horses by q tall ungainl
youth. The driver held the lines 1
one hand and flourished a drover'
long whip in the other. His light rec
dish hair escaped In all direction
from his ragged fur hat and gave hi1
the appearance of being hugely SUI
prised.
"What have the men done?" II
quired, pausing and leaning on m
rifle.
"Ding them most mortality Bu
they've done enough" he cried. with
side glance of curiosity at the lndiar
"And l don't have to tell every will
man of the woods what I'm doing, q
why I'm doing it."
"That's true" l agreed But "
can see what you're doing. My frien
here says they are Frenchmen an
that he believes you will boil and ea
them"
The poor devils set up most dolo
GUS bowling. The redhead scowle
with his eyes and laughed with his bi
mouth. He hardly knew whether
approve of US, or take offense. Br
the terror of his prisoners decide
him, and with a loud guffaw he cried
"That would be fetching joke o
the two of theml Billed in kettle
Lords lawl But they would look con
ical jammed in kettlel"
Now that his temper was softene
he explained further:
"These Internal scoundrels stole tw
bells from Ben the Great cove drove
at the mill last night. I'm workin
for him. The fools could "a got ava
If they'd know'd enough to hide tn
bells somewhere while they kept BIT
But they took the bells along wit
them and follered the noise an
caught them early this morning. No
they're taking the bells back. Who'
hishi Stand still there, you devil, {
I'll tan your Jacket nineteen to tn
dozen" And to bind his promise h
cracked the whip and elected rar
yell.
"In Gods great mercy, sill, help us
bleated the prisoner on the offsid
1--WE was about to follow the Carlisl
road bound for Philadelphia. We
have no need for bells after wet
reached Shippensburg or Carlisle. w
did but borrow them. He would hav
found them waiting for him when h
came back"
"Not need my bells, you id res
calls! What would Philadelphia folk
think of me driving horses along thei
road without bells? How would fin
them If they strayed while wa
there?" And he punctuated eac
query with clever slash apiece.
"If they stole your bells. you serv
them right. Thieves should be wei
whipped. so their welts will burn whel
tempted to steal again. Well keel
you company to the mill"
lie now took time 70 explain nov
he had Hired oui two day before Il
20 with the drnver, who WAS DRIVING