Frank in the Woods

dian

es during the night. His companions, comfortably wrapped up in their thick blankets, were sleeping soundly; but Frank thought it was high time they were stirring, for they had a good twenty miles to travel that day; so, reaching over, he seized Archie by the shoul

supply of wood, with which to cook their breakfast, George and Harry busied themselves in packing their b

day before, for the snow was piled on the ice in deep dri

ed by the old trapper's dogs, and Un

Who's that a comin' there?" he continu

," answe

t in these woods this time o' night? Come in-glad to see you any how," and Uncle Joe seized thei

hat's a new way we have go

d, suiting the action to the word, Uncle Joe s

gsters?" and a tall, powerfully built man arose from his chair, and, striding

en, had brought him in contact with almost every variety of danger. He had hunted and trapped on every little stream between the Rio Grande and the Great Bear Lake; had taken more than one rough-and-tum

ack jokes than he. He used to say that there was but one thing in the world he hated, and that was an Indian. And good cause had he for enmity; for, if

aped by making use of his prodigious strength, and almost incredible swiftness

d be startled by the crack of the rifle that was to start his spirit on its way to the happy hunting-grounds. He seemed to delight in danger, and being perfectly acquainted with the Indian mode of warfare, he eluded all the plans to capture him, with the same skill and cunning he would exhibit in laying his own. But he did not always escape unhurt, for many an ugly scar on his body bo

ch we have so unceremoniously interrupted; and he seized Frank's hand, and g

fire, young'uns," said U

four beds in the room-rude-looking, indeed, but very clean, and abundantly supplied with quilts and blankets; while around on the walls hung the trappers' rifles, hunting-knives, and powder-horns. Three large dogs lay stretched out before the fireplace, and one of them, a huge, powerful animal, was the only companion Dick had had for three years. He was an ungainly looking animal, but his strengt

e fire. "No, I reckon not," he continued, without giving them time to reply. "Bob, just

they were hungry, and they knew that the

he fire-light in a manner that would have delighted a New England housewife. Then came ham and eggs, which, with the coffee, were cooked in the fireplace, wheat-bread, honey, and fresh butter and milk

ction. After supper, while they were engaged in unpacking their sleds, Dick's dog, which answered to the n

the wall above his head; but instantly recollecting himself, he resumed his former position, while a dark scowl settled on his face. In a few moments,

r' as well as I do," he continued, as the dog reluctantly returned to his place. "Me an' him war brought up to hate Injuns, an

from the settlements to dispose of their furs, frequently made Uncle Joe's cabin a stopping-place. Dick was not at all p

d finally the door opened sof

Uncle Joe, shaking the outst

ting-shirts of the finest deer-skin, gaudily ornamented, and wore knives in their belts. Such sights were not new to the boys, for Lawrence was a regular Indian trading-post. Frank thought that he had never seen such fine specimens of savages before. But different thoughts seemed to be passing through Dick's mind, for he twisted uneasily in his chair, and smoked a

shantee in this way for," said Dick, at length, addressing himself to his br

le Joe. "Me an' the Injuns allers

er I see 'em. Now, Useless," he continued, turning to his dog, and speaking as though the animal could understand every word he said, "I'm goin' to bed, an' I want you to keep an eye on them fellers;" and Dick stretched his heavy

The Indians had gone. According to their usual custom, they had resumed their journey at the first peep of day.

from the breakfast-table, "what do yo

e, who was particularly fond of hunting that kind

tendin' to;" and the trapper took down his long rifle and thrust h

piled in one corner of the cabin. He looked them

become of all my fox traps?

that pile with the ot

best ones are gone; I'm afraid we have lost them.

ousin; "they were all there l

f allowin' them Injuns t

e Joe. "You don't s'pose them

g the butt of his rifle heavily to the

thing I ever had st

wder. I told you to watch them fellers. I don't see how the rascals could do it, for if Useless had seed one of 'em prowlin' around, he

d Archie. "Then, let

hem overcoats, 'cause it 'ill be the harde

ick from the cabin, and immediately set out on the trail of the Indians, which could be easily followed by the prints of their moccasins in the snow. All the dogs were left at home, except Useless; for he was the only one that understood "Injun hunting,"

e that both of those

inquired

a single track, such as

in the leader's tracks? If fifty Injuns had been along here, they would not have left a bigger trail nor those two have. But arter you have hunt

you," answered George; "but if you will hold

u want to ketch them Injuns," said Dick. "Se

tell?" inqu

further apart nor they wur a little piece

talking; for they soon found that they had no breath to waste. After they had gone about two miles, the trail led them from the creek of

ter he had looked in vain for the trail. "

at would be a better jump nor I

r?" aske

uld foller 'em, an' they have doubl

e way," said Frank, stooping

's track which way he is goin', do you? I have knowed 'em to travel backward for more 'n

was not the least sign of a trail, and they were at a loss how to account for the trapper's reasons for follo

the woods, an' doubled an' twisted about on their trail, an' when they t

own what running was. But the trapper did not seem to mind it in the least. His motions were easy and graceful, and he appeared to move along without making any exertion whatever. They ran until al

ed Dick; "but don't make too much n

with their packs on their backs, thinking, no doubt, that they had effectually eluded pursuit. But they soon became awa

n' like ole times. Now, youngsters, I'll show you some runnin

fforded them a fine view of the race, which was worth going miles to see. The Indians were no inferior runners; and, as they had nearly three hundred yards the start of Dick, the boys were doubtful as to the manner in which the chase would end. But the trap

n they came up they found the Indians standing as motionless as statues, apparent

and pointing to the packs which the Indians had thrown down,

e packs, when the first thing he discovered was his missing property. He arose slowly to his feet

notion to take the ramrod out of m

very small for his age, and looked as though he were in danger of being carried away by the first gust of wind that passed. The former,

me big

nsult that a person of Archie's propo

n about your business; but I wouldn't advise you to cross my trail, in these

and walked off as though nothing had happened. As soon as they were out of s