On the Trail of Pontiac or, The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio

ls leading from Will's Creek to the eastward became more or less broken. The trail to Fort Be

est, but one look at his face when he arrived

ut delay. "The man was seen around Fort Bedford for two days, but he didn't tell his business, and

he stop o

ng I couldn't f

an odd sort," obs

im at all," suggested Henry. "If they

d drew a long breath. "Don't ask me, Henr

ated all that the inhabitants at Bedford had told him, but this threw no light on the m

," mused Dave. "He certainly m

ith some of the others in quest of game. He was always glad to have Dave and Henry with him, and they were likewise deli

in a state of mild excitement. He had seen hoofprints which we

like a deer's," he sa

ontiersman. "But I allow as how thar ain't m

ted by Sam Barringford until the following morning. The pair went out accompanied by Dav

ut away when the new cabin was built. Beyond the scrub timber was a small cliff of rocks and further still a

aid Henry, when the edge

ther trail made last

rints in the snow, and at a spot where the sun ca

. "Ef it ain't an elk, it ain

try to bring him down b

air of elk ho

s an' miles away from here by t

us try it anywa

hem by White Buffalo years before, and Barringford a pair he had

man. "Even if we don't git the elk, we may

wing the tracks of the game with ease. Dave ca

e they caught a fair view of a bunch of rabbits, nibbling at some tender shoots of brushwood. The young hunters could have shot the rabbits with ease, but no

k is from here?" asked Dave, aft

may have gone two miles and he may have gone ten. We'll have to trust to

icked up in several directions. A rough-barked tree was near by, and o

r. "He stopped to scratch himself an' then dropped into a walk. Go sl

p of another hill. Here was a good-sized clearing, and Barringford motioned for the others to keep back until he c

his hand and motioned for them

pered. "See thet hollow yonder? I think he's back of t

ioned was nearly quarter of a mile away, yet so sharp were the old frontiersman's eyes that he had noted a peculiar moving of the upper bra

like a streak, Henry sh

it was arranged that, al

if a second bullet was r

readiness for

ld frontiersman they advanced across this, being all of a hun

they were within easy gunshot of where he was feeding. Then up went his head, to sc

began to limp. But he did not drop, and now it was Dave's turn to fire. Bang! went the second weapon, and the bullet lodged but a few inches below that s

ry, reloading with all speed. "

ullet struck immediately between the other two. The frontiersman had aimed at the other flank, but

re going downhill once more, but now the elk made a turn and darted into a belt of timber lining the river. Reaching the

youth was not slow to take advantage of it. Up came the gun, his gaze moved along the sights, and down came the trigger. But, alas! the flint was an o

m another shot?" demand

ed Henry. "That's one of a lot I bought in New Yor

river bank. Barringford came after him, and both crossed the stream and mounted the bank opposite. Here

ed Dave, as he brushed himself off. "Ugh! but t

ly. It made him angry to think that his first shot had

de the old frontiersman. Henry had now adjusted a new flint to his mu

d fashion, which indicated that he was speedily becoming exhausted. Once they heard h

ingford grimly. "Might as well

d if he was not in at the death. They slowed

get away?"

d," answered Dave. "

ou waited for me?

he elk could be heard less than fi

came in sight of the elk, backed up against a clump of walnuts, standing at bay, w

at one of those eyes. The elk made a rush, but he was too late. Bang!