In front, on the sand, was the same tell-tale moccasin tracks.
“Wal, by the Great Horn Spoon! if that cuss hain’t swiped the hull business,” Old Cy ejaculated, as he looked in and then at the tracks. “Crossed over last night,” he added, noting where a canoe had cut its furrow, “an’ steered plumb for my ice-house! The varmint!”
But Martin was angry, thoroughly angry, at the audacious insolence of the theft, and the thought that just now this sneaking half-breed was doubtless enjoying grilled venison and roast partridge in some secure shelter. It also opened his eyes to the fact that this chap would hang about, watching his chance, until they started out of the wilderness, and then capture the girl if he could. For a little while Martin pondered over the situation and then announced his plans.
“There’s law, and officers to execute it,” he said, “if a sufficient reward be offered; and to-morrow you and I, Levi, will start for the settlement and fetch a couple in. I’ll gladly give five hundred dollars to land this sneak behind the bars. If he can’t be caught, we can at least have two officers to guard us going out.”
All that day he and Levi spent in hunting. Another deer was captured, more birds secured, and when evening came plans to meet the situation were discussed.
“You or Ray must remain on guard daytimes near the cabin,” Martin said to Old Cy. “My wife and Chip had better keep in it, or near it most of the time; and both of you must sleep there nights. One or the other can fish or hunt, as needed. We must be gone a week or more, even if we have good luck; but fetching the officers here is the best plan now.”
Levi was up early the next morning, and had the best canoe packed for a hurry trip ere breakfast was ready. No tent was to be taken, only blankets, a rifle, a bag of the simplest cooking utensils, pork, bread, and coffee. A modest outfit–barely enough to sustain life, yet all a woodsman carries when a long canoe journey with many carries must be taken.
There were sober faces at the landing when Martin was ready to start,–Chip most sober of all,–for now she realized as never before how serious a burden she had become.
No time was wasted in good-bys. Martin grasped the bow paddle, and with “Old Faithful” Levi wielding the stern one, they soon crossed the lake and vanished at its outlet.
And now, also, for the first time, Angie realized how much the presence of these two strong and resourceful men meant to her. All that day she and Chip clung to the cabin, while Old Cy, a long, lanky Leatherstocking, patrolled the premises, rifle in hand.