Camp Mates in Michigan; or, with Pack and Paddle in the Pine Woods

by St. George Rathborne

  CHAPTER XIII

  SALLIE

  Amos was taken aback when he saw the girl standing there in the doorwayof the old cabin in the pine woods.

  He had supposed that when he set that greasy old ruffian, Crawley, downas a vagabond, without a single good quality in his make-up, he wasonly doing him justice and to discover that he actually had a decenttrait in his miserable character, was quite enough to shake Amos’sfaith in his own ability to read men.

  This was when he saw Crawley actually bend down and kiss the girl.It made Amos shudder, too, somehow, when he thought of those tobaccostained lips coming in contact with the red ones of the frail girl.

  At any rate, Amos thought, if this were his child, she surely couldnot have any of Crawley’s nature in her; for he looked the drinkingscoundrel the boy knew him to be, while somehow Amos thought of angelshe had seen in dreams when he saw her yellow hair and big blue eyes.

  So this was Sallie! She seemed somewhat surprised to see a boy with thetwo men and turned those big eyes reproachfully upon Crawley, whichaction somehow caused him to squirm uneasily, and say hastily:

  “Oh! we ain’t a-goin’ to kill the little fool, Sallie. All we wantsis ter keep him close here a few days, so he can’t meddle in otherpeople’s bizness. Ye see, it ain’t safe for greenies ter be aroamin’the woods, when fellers is ahuntin’. They don’t know how ter handlehighfalutin’ guns, an’ are apt to do damage ter pore hard workin’ rootgatherers like Gabe ’n me. Set that meat down in a corner, ye gump, an’don’t stant thar astarin’ at my Gal. Sallie, sense ye got sech a finefire, I reckon we might’s well cut off some o’ this fresh mutton, andmake a meal o’ it. Gabe, spose ye keep one eye on our new friend hyar,an’ if he tries ter vamose, wing him.”

  The girl said nothing, but she evidently understood that these two evilmen had some wicked game in prospect. Amos saw her shoot a pityingglance toward him, and somehow he was not sorry that he had beenbrought to that cabin.

  Of course, the presence of that splendid repeating rifle made her thinkthe young owner must be well to do, and she knew from experience thatsuch people always had a certain stamp of value in the eyes of herunscrupulous parent, who was forever trying to collect the living hesaid the world owed him.

  Amos had by this time recovered from his great surprise and wasbeginning to wonder whether he might not sooner or later reap somebenefit from this new situation.

  The girl looked as though she could not possibly enter into any ofthe wicked plans of her father and his equally unprincipled partner;perhaps Amos might prevail upon her to even set him free, once thechance presented itself.

  And the more the boy looked upon the slender little figure, almostpitiful in comparison with the bulky frames of the men, or even his ownstocky form, the less he found to regret in his apparently desperatesituation.

  Why, he had never imagined that such a sweet child existed; for in allhis experience he could not remember having looked upon a face thatappealed so to the best that was in him as Sallie’s seemed to do.

  Boy-like, he wondered what she thought of him. He knew that hisappearance could not be very prepossessing, especially after carryingthat meat so long.

  Now and then he saw her glance curiously at him. When she was notlooking Amos ran his fingers through his hair. He even stepped over toa tin basin that held some water, and washed his hands. The sight ofspots of dried blood on them disturbed him. Somehow, he thought shemight not like to see it.

  Sallie went about her task of cooking the fresh venison with the air ofone who knew all about the little wrinkles connected with such work;no doubt she had prepared her father’s meals for a considerable time,perhaps since her mother died.

  The man she called father was an ugly citizen when aroused, ordrinking; and Amos found himself wondering whether he ever descended solow as to actually strike this child, when the brute nature was on top.

  Somehow the very thought of such a thing gave the boy a cold chill.He found himself shutting his teeth hard together, and muttering tohimself what he would do in case he ever happened to see that heavyfist raised to strike that patient face, in which the eyes shone asAmos had seen them in an innocent fawn; only hers were blue like theskies, instead of hazel.

  At least he could see no sign of any mark or bruise about her face, andthe man really seemed to entertain some sort of affection for the girl,the more remarkable because no one would ever suspect him of beingcapable of any such feeling.

  When early supper was ready, they sat down at a rude table, a couple ofbenches supplying seats for all.

  Amos found himself opposite the girl, and of course he could not helpkeeping his eyes upon her a good deal of the time. She was the onlyobject worth attention; and the two rough featured poachers looked likebeings from another world beside Sallie.

  The men talked little, and then it was of ordinary subjects. Evidentlythey did not mean to discuss any secrets while the other two werealongside.

  From time to time, though, Gabe would ask him something in connectionwith his camp mate, Dolph Bradley. While the woods boy might have feltlike declining to supply them with the information they wished, aglance into the red eyes, and the scowling face of his questioner, wasenough to convince him that such defiance would only be the height offolly. So he answered as best he could.

  Sallie seemed to be taking more interest in him as the rude mealprogressed. She even spoke to him once, asking if he would like to havesome more of the meat, or some stew from the big iron pot.

  If Amos missed the splendid “Kababs,” which Dolph knew so well how toprepare, as he had eaten it in canoeists’ camps, he at least had noreason to complain on the score of hunger; for he ate most heartily;showing that it takes something more than the shadow of possible comingtrouble to seriously affect the appetite of a healthy boy.

  After the meal Gabe stood in the doorway of the cabin smoking his pipe,and apparently listening, as though he half expected to hear something.

  While he stood there he laughed as though pleased. Amos, too, hadbeen keeping his keen ears on the alert, and he also caught the threegunshots fired by Dolph at the suggestion of Teddy.

  Amos was a little surprised that they could hear the shots, whichseemed to come from the quarter where the men had shot the doe, andcaptured him. It gave him additional reason to believe that in comingto the cabin they had for some reason or other followed a more or lesscircuitous route.

  Pretty soon, then, these wretches would be setting their trap to catchone or both of his friends.

  Would he be helpless to prevent the springing of the same?

  Amos, filled with a new zeal, began to observe everything about him,with the idea of utilizing the knowledge later on, when perhaps itmight prove valuable. He marked the position of the open window; sawwhere the men placed their guns; figured in his mind just how manysteps it was to the door; noted how this same barrier seemed to besecured with a stout bar; and in numerous other ways fortified himselffor action, with a view to outwitting his enemies, should so much ashalf a chance arise.

  And whenever he thought of Teddy, somehow he could not despair; forin this time of trouble the lumberman’s wide awake son seemed to be atower of strength. Why, Amos even begun to pluck up hope that he mighteven be able to outwit these plotters at their own game.

  He felt that the two boys must have started out to look for him; thosethree shots told that much. Remembering the ability of Teddy especiallyas a woodsman, Amos believed they would experience little difficultyin following his trail up to the place of his encounter with thepoachers.

  From that point Hackett had made sure that the job would be easy. Hemeant to “toll” the other boys into a trap, just as a little barkingdog is used by gunners along the Chesapeake Bay, to gambol on the sand,and so excite the curiosity of beds of ducks that they keep pushing ina little further to observe, until within reach of the death dealingguns.

  Would his chums wait until morning before taking action?

  Amos knew better
.

  If they headed toward the cabin, following the trail by the aid oftorchlight, or using the lantern, why they might arrive inside of a fewhours.

  It was dark outside now.

  The girl had lighted a candle, and this, with the fire, dimlyilluminated the interior of the cabin.

  The two men were huddled over by the door, talking in low tones. Amoswould have been glad to have caught a part of what they were saying,and even did incline his ear that way; but their voices only soundedlike a rumble, and he soon gave up all hope of hearing anything worthwhile.

  Then he became aware of the fact that the girl, washing her few dishesat the table near by, was observing him with something like a glance ofamusement in her blue eyes.

  Amos forgot his own troubles for the time being. He only wished Salliemight take a notion to come a little closer, so he could talk with her.

  It would seem as though his desire must have impressed itself upon hisface in some way, for sure enough, Sallie did edge in his direction,still busy with her dish pan, and the suspicious looking crockery thathad served them at supper.

  She cast a quick glance toward her father, as if to see whether eitherof the men were paying the slightest attention. But they seemed to be“head over ears” interested in what they were discussing.

  “Won’t you take pity on me, Sallie and talk a little?” said Amos, in alow tone. “Who are you, anyway?”

  She smiled back at Amos as she replied swiftly:

  “Why, Sallie Crawley, don’t you know?”

  “Is Crawley your real, true dad?” the boy went on to ask.

  “Why, yes, of course; don’t you know that?” she answered.

  “I never heard he ever had a wife or child, when he used to work in thelumber camp; and least of all, a girl like you,” Amos went on, growinga little bolder.

  “Well, he has,” she replied. “I’m like my mother used to be, becauseshe had yellow hair and blue eyes, dad says. He often looks at mekinder queer, and shakes his head. I guess I make him think he sees heragain.”

  “Does he take you around everywhere with him?” Amos next asked.

  “Oh! no. Sometimes now I stay with my grandmother at the Soo. But dad,he gets lonely once in a while, and comes after me. I always go, ’causeI promised _her_ I’d never, never give him up. And then, dad, he hatesto cook for himself—all men do, I guess.”

  “But Crawley has a pretty hard reputation—excuse me for saying it,Sallie—he’s an awful rough man, at best. Are you happy with him?”

  She hesitated before replying to this. Amos could see a shadow crossher thin face; but evidently pride must have come to the rescue, forpresently she tossed her yellow mane back and said:

  “Why, I s’pose so—least ways as happy as I ought to expect. Thereis just heaps of trouble in this world, anyhow, whichever way youtake it, and everybody must just grin and bear it. Dad is good tome—sometimes. Then he’s ugly too; but that’s only when he’s beenhaving too much whiskey. That’s an awful thing to change a man. I hopeyou don’t drink it, boy.”

  “Not a drop for me, as long as I live,” declared Amos. “But see here,Sallie, it ain’t fair for me to know your name, and you to just call me‘boy’. I’m Amos Simmons, and I’ve been in the lumber camps of NorthernMichigan, cookin’, and doing all what-not, for just years. Now, I’vegot a couple of mighty fine chums not far away, one of them named TeddyOverton, and the other Dolph Bradley.”

  She uttered a little exclamation.

  “I’ve met Teddy Overton once; he’s a splendid boy,” she said, hastily.

  “Well, I guess that’s just right,” remarked Amos. “Now, you see theother, Dolph, he’s from Cincinnati. Everybody knows that his father’srich. Why, they’ve got oodles of money. I kind o’ think your dad andGabe, there, know it; and right now they’re a hatching some measly planexpectin’ to separate Dolph’s folks from a lot of that spare cash. Andthat’s the reason they pulled me in like they did.”

  He kept one eye on the men while saying this.

  The girl looked surprised.

  “Oh! then it ain’t _you_ they’re meaning to hold up?” she asked.

  Amos chuckled, as though amused at the idea.

  “Precious little good I’d do them,” he said. “They might keep me tilltheir hair turned white, and nobody’d pay a nickel for lettin’ me gofree. But they’re sharp, I tell you, Sallie. They know them boys arebound to look for me. Don’t you see, it’s going to be a trap, and I’mthe bait. And unless you or me warn the boys, they’re just bound totumble right into it!”

  Amos watched her thin face closely when he advanced this “feeler,” ashe chose to call it. Sallie started, and looked very serious.

  “Me?” she said, slowly.

  “Why, yes,” Amos went on, “you wouldn’t want to see a nice feller likemy friend Dolph, kept here like he was a dog, would you, Sallie; tillsomebody sent on some money? If he could be warned, I guess, withTeddy’s help, he might manage to keep clear of the trap.”

  “But—what are you saying, boy—you want me to stand up agin dad, andupset his game? My! but he’d be awful mad,” she said, reflectively; andher face looked as careworn as that of a grown woman, Amos thought.

  “Well, it might save him from going to prison, that’s all,” he said,“and I guess you wouldn’t like that to happen to him.”

  “Oh! no, of course not. You see, boy, I promised mother to stand bydad right along, and try to get him to quit drinkin’ and being tough.He could be decent if he just let that stuff alone, and kept awayfrom that Gabe Hackett. When him and me are alone, and he ain’t gotno drink, he’s good. I keep hopin’ and hopin’; but it’s terrible hardwork. I sure don’t know how it’s goin’ to end. Sometimes I’m afraid ofwhat he does.”

  There was a almost whimper in her voice, that cut the boy cruelly.

  “He don’t hit you, I hope, Sallie?” he said, glancing in the directionof the two men.

  “Oh! no,” she answered, quickly, “not that. He started to do it a fewtimes, but I just stood there and looked at him, like my poor motherdid that last time he struck her; and he just can’t do it, you see. Butnow you won’t want me to go agin him. Do you think it’s right to ask agirl to do that, when it’s her own father?”

  “Yes,” said Amos boldly, “if he was sick and the doctor told you togive him some bitter medicine that’d make him well, you’d sure do it,no matter what your dad said. Well, you’re goin’ to save him this way,you know.”

  “Yes, yes,” she breathed, putting a hand to her breast, as if theconflict of emotions almost overpowered her, “_she_ did the same more’nonce, broke his bottle to save him; and that was why he hit her.”

  “Was she sorry that she done it?” asked Amos, craftily.

  “I know she said, when she came to again, after lyin’ there a wholehour, with me a cryin’ my eyes out, believin’ her dead—she said she’ddo it again whenever she had the chance, if he killed her for it. Shebelieved she’d been sent to try and _save_ dad—poor little mother, shenever lived to see the day.”

  Amos was feeling somewhat remorseful about thus working upon herfeelings; but he really believed he was doing the best thing foreverybody.

  “Then her duty has come down to you, Sallie,” he went on to say. “Ifthis crazy scheme goes through, you can just bet your dad will end hisdays locked up in jail. Now, by playing a little trick on Gabe Hackettyou can upset his plan and save your father. Anyhow, you know it’sGabe’s idea, and he’s just dragging your weak dad into it.”

  Amos winced a little when saying this but he felt that the endjustified the means. Crawley had the word “rascal” written all over hisface, and apparently it required very little persuading to “drag” himinto any scheme that promised easy money.

  Sallie seemed to ponder over what the boy had suggested.

  “Yes, it’s sure my duty to save him, even if I has to seem agin him.That was what my mother said to me. Amos Simmons, I guess you’re right.I’d die if my dad was sent to
jail. He ain’t never been there yet, youknow. What do you want me to do, boy?” and she shivered, as if herresolution was made.

  “Wait and see,” whispered Amos, “two of us ought to be able to beat apair like that. They’re only bunglers, anyway. I’m dependin’ on you,girl, remember. When Teddy Overton comes, you’ll be right glad youpromised to help. You’ve heard of his dad, the head of the big lumbercompany, ain’t you? But laugh a little, Sallie, ’cause Gabe, he’swatchin’ us like a hawk, right now. It wouldn’t be good for us if hethought we was hatchin’ up a way to pull the wool over his eyes. Laugh,and make out as how I was sayin’ something funny like.”

  Sallie understood, and played her part so well that Hackett, who hadbeen growing suspicious at seeing them with their heads together as ifin confidential conversation, seemed satisfied that all was well, forhe went on with his argument.

  And so the minutes crept on. An hour had passed since they heard thosethree shots. The boys must be on the trail, and presently Gabe andCrawley would be considering it high time they set their trap. And yetAmos had not been able to figure out just how he was going to preventthe capture from taking place.