Zane Grey

The Last Trail Zane Grey

Twilight of a certain summer day, many years ago, shaded softly down over the wild Ohio valleybringing keen anxiety to a traveler on the lonely river trail. He had expected to reach Fort Henrywith his party on this night, thus putting a welcome end to the long, rough, hazardous journeythrough the wilderness; but the swift, on-coming dusk made it imperative to halt. The narrow, forest-skirted trail, difficult to follow in broad daylight, apparently led into gloomy aisles in thewoods. His guide had abandoned him that morning, making excuse that his services were no longerneeded; his teamster was new to the frontier, and, altogether, the situation caused him muchuneasiness."I wouldn't so much mind another night in camp, if the guide had not left us," he said in a low toneto the teamster. That worthy shook his shaggy head, and growled while he began unhitching the horses."Uncle," said a young man, who had clambered out from the wagon, "we must be within a few milesof Fort Henry.""How d'ye know we're near the fort?" interrupted the teamster, "or safe, either, fer thet matter? Idon't know this country.""The guide assured me we could easily make Fort Henry by sundown.""Thet guide! I tell ye, Mr. Sheppard--""Not so loud. Do not alarm my daughter," cautioned the man who had been called Sheppard."Did ye notice anythin' queer about thet guide?" asked the teamster, lowering his voice. "Did ye seehow oneasy he was last night? Did it strike ye he left us in a hurry, kind of excited like, in spite of hisoffhand manner?