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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29693-8.txt b/29693-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0a8f6e --- /dev/null +++ b/29693-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9079 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Waif of the Mountains, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Waif of the Mountains + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 15, 2009 [EBook #29693] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: SHE STARED BEWILDERED INTO THE SHAGGY FACES AROUND +HER.--PAGE 21.] + + + + +A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS + +BY + +EDWARD S. ELLIS + +AUTHOR OF "UP THE TAPAJOS," "FROM THE THROTTLE TO THE PRESIDENT'S CHAIR," +"THE LAND OF WONDERS," ETC. + +CHICAGO + +GEO. M. HILL CO. + +PUBLISHERS + + + + +COPYRIGHT, 1900, + +BY + +THE MERSHON COMPANY + + + + +A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS + +CHAPTER I + +AT NEW CONSTANTINOPLE + + +IT had been snowing hard for twenty-four hours at Dead Man's Gulch. +Beginning with a few feathery particles, they had steadily increased +in number until the biting air was filled with billions of snowflakes, +which whirled and eddied in the gale that howled through the gorges +and caņons of the Sierras. It was still snowing with no sign of +cessation, and the blizzard blanketed the earth to the depth of +several feet, filling up the treacherous hollows, caverns and abysses +and making travel almost impossible for man or animal. + +The shanties of the miners in Dead Man's Gulch were just eleven in +number. They were strung along the eastern side of the gorge and at an +altitude of two or three hundred feet from the bed of the pass or +caņon. The site protruded in the form of a table-land, offering a +secure foundation for the structures, which were thus elevated +sufficiently to be beyond reach of the terrific torrents that +sometimes rushed through the ravine during the melting of the snow in +the spring, or after one of those fierce cloud-bursts that give +scarcely a minute's warning of their coming. + +The diggings were in the mountain side at varying distances. The +success in mining had been only moderate, although several promising +finds raised hopes. The population numbered precisely thirty men, +representing all quarters of the Union, while five came from Europe. +The majority were shaggy, bronzed adventurers, the variety being +almost as great as the numbers. Some had been clerks, several were +college graduates, a number were the sons of wealthy parents, and one +was a full-fledged parson, while there was a certain percentage who +had left their homes to escape the grip of the offended law. + +With that yearning for picturesqueness which is a peculiar trait of +Americans, the miners felt that when their settlement had attained the +dignity of nearly a dozen dwellings, it was entitled to an appropriate +name. The gorge, which seemed to have been gouged out of the solid +mass of boulders and rocks, when the mountains were split apart in the +remote past, was known from the first by the title already given, +which also clung to the diggings themselves. + +The single saloon presided over by Max Ortigies, was the Heavenly +Bower,--so _that_ point was settled, but when it came to naming the +settlement itself, the difficulties were so numerous that days and +weeks passed without an agreement being reached. No matter how +striking and expressive the title offered by one man, the majority +promptly protested. It was too sulphurous, or too insipid or it lacked +in that nebulous characteristic which may be defined as true +Americanism. It looked as if the problem would never be solved, when +Landlord Ortigies, taking the bull by the horns, appointed a committee +of three to select a name, the others pledging themselves to accept +whatever the committee submitted. + +But the mischief was to pay when on the night of the blizzard the +committee met at the Heavenly Bower to make their report. The chairman +insisted upon "E Pluribus Unum," the second member's favorite was +"Murderer's Holler," while the third would not listen to anything +except "Wolf Eye," and each was immovably set in his convictions. + +Budge Isham was not a member of the committee, but he was known as a +college graduate. From his seat on an overturned box at the rear of +the room, where he was smoking a pipe, he asked troublesome questions +and succeeded in arraying the committeemen so fiercely against one +another that each was eager to vote, in the event of failing to carry +his own point, in favor of any name objectionable to the rest. + +The chairman as stated favored the patriotic name "E Pluribus Unum," +and boldly announced the fact. + +"It has a lofty sound," blandly remarked Isham; "will the chairman be +good enough to translate it for us? In other words, what does 'E +Pluribus Unum' mean?" + +"Why," replied the chairman with scorn in his manner; "everybody +oughter know it means, 'Hurrah for the red, white and blue.'" + +"Thank you," returned Isham, puffing at his pipe. + +Vose Adams, the second committeeman, felt it his duty to explain his +position. + +"The trouble with that outlandish name is in the fust place that it +has three words and consequently it's too much to manage. Whoever +heard of a town with three handles to its name? Then it's foreign. +When I was in college (several disrespectful sniffs which caused the +speaker to stop and glare around in quest of the offenders); I say +when I was in college and studying Greek and Chinese and Russian, I +larned that that name was made up of all three of them languages. I +b'leve in America for the Americans, and if we can't find a name +that's in the American language, why let's wait till we can." + +This sentiment was delivered with such dramatic force that several of +the miners nodded their heads in approval. It was an appeal to the +patriotic side of their nature--which was quick to respond. + +"Mr. Chairman," said Budge Isham, addressing the landlord, who, by +general consent, was the presiding officer at these disputations, and +who like the others failed to see the quiet amusement the educated man +was extracting, "if it is agreeable to Mr. Adams, to whose eloquent +speech we have listened with much edification, I would like him to +give us his reasons for calling our handsome town 'Murderers' +Hollow.'" + +The gentleman appealed to rose to his feet. Turning toward the man who +had called upon him, he gave him a look which ought to have made him +sink to the floor with mortification, preliminary to saying with +polished irony: + +"If the gentleman had paid attention as he oughter, he would have +obsarved that I said 'Murderer's Holler,' not 'Murderers' _Hollow_.' I +would advise him not to forget that he ain't the only man in this +place that has received a college eddycation. Now as to the name: it +proclaims our stern virtue and love for law." + +The orator paused, but the wondering expression of the bronzed +faces turned toward him showed that he would have to descend to +particulars. + +"When violators of the law hear that name, what does it say to them? +It says that if any murderer shows his face in this place, he will +receive such rough handling that he will have to holler 'enough,' and +will be glad to get out--I don't see what there is to laugh at!" +exclaimed Vose angrily, looking threateningly around again with his +fists clenched and his gaze fixed specially upon the grinning Budge +Isham. + +"There's some sense in what Vose says, which ain't often the case," +remarked Ike Hoe, the other member of the committee, "but the trouble +will be that when folks hear of the name, they won't think to give it +the meanin' that he gives it. They'll conclude that this place is the +home of murderers, and, if it keeps on, bime by of hoss thieves. If it +warn't for that danger, I might go in for backing up Vose with his +name, but as it stands it won't do." + +The argument of Ike had produced its effect. There was little sympathy +in the first place for the title, and that little was destroyed by the +words of Ike, who proceeded to plead for his own choice. + +"Now as to 'Wolf Eye.' In the first place, it is short and easy to +say. There ain't any slur in the name, that might offend a new comer, +who would think the 'Murderer's Holler' contained ungentlemanly +allusions to his past. It is warning, too, that the place has got an +eye on everybody and has teeth as sharp as a wolf. Then there is +poetry in the name. Gentlemen," added Ike in a burst of enthusiasm, +"we oughter go in for poetry. How can any one live in such a glorious +country as this with the towering kenyons around him, with the +mountains thousands of feet deep, with the grand sun kissin' the +western tips in the morning and sinking to rest at night in the +east,--with the snow storms in summer and the blazing heat in +winter--with the glo----" + +"Hold on! hold on!" called Budge Isham, rising solemnly to his feet, +with hands uplifted in protest; "if Ike doesn't stop, he'll have us +all standing on our heads. There's a brand of liquor down in +Sacramento called 'Wolf Eye;' I don't make any charges, gentlemen, +against my friend Ike, but you can draw your inferences. Wolf Eye +won't do." + +A general laugh greeted this sally, seeing which the indignant Ike +turned the tables upon Budge with an admirable piece of sarcasm. + +"Seeing as how all of us together don't know 'nough to git up a name +that will suit, I move that the college eddycated gentleman supplies +the brains and does it himself." + +The crushing irony of this remark was spoiled by Budge accepting it in +all seriousness. He bowed his head and gracefully thanked the +satirical Vose. + +"I shall be very glad to do so. The committee meant well enough, but +the trouble was that there were too many fools on it----" + +At this point Wade Ruggles sprang to his feet, with the fierce +question: + +"Does the gentleman refer to _me_?" + +His hand was at his hip on the butt of his revolver and matters +looked squally, but the tactful Budge quelled the rising storm with +Chesterfieldian grace. Waving his hand and bowing, he said: + +"I did not intend the remotest reference to you." + +Vose Adams came up promptly. + +"Then it's _me_ and I'm ready to make any man eat his words." + +"My good friend is mistaken; nothing could induce me to apply such a +term to him; I hold him in too high esteem." + +Since this left Ike Hoe as the only remaining member, he began to show +signs of explosion, perceiving which the incomprehensible Budge +proceeded to mollify him. + +"And Ike knows that I would be the last person in the world to slur a +gentleman from whom I as well as the others have received so much +instruction." + +Ike was mystified. He looked at the other members of the committee and +then into the faces of the group. He couldn't make it out. + +"If it's all the same, Mr. Chairman, since the gentleman has said +there was too many fools on the committee, and has just explained that +he didn't mean any one of us three, I'll be obliged if he'll explain +who in thunder he did mean." + +This sounded unanswerable, but the cunning Budge was equal to the +occasion. + +"It gives me pleasure to answer the question of the gentleman: my +remark was made in a Pickwickian sense." + +He leaned forward with a beaming smile, as if his explanation left +nothing to be added. No one understood to what he referred, but all +were too proud to admit the fact. There was a general nodding of +heads, and Ike, with the manner of a man who magnanimously accepts the +humble apology of him whom he has worsted, leaned back on his stool +and audibly remarked: + +"That makes it all right." + +Budge Isham resumed his seat, when he was reminded that he was +expected to submit a name for the new settlement. + +"I beg pardon," he said, rising again, "it is a fact known to this +highly intelligent assemblage, that every city of prominence in Europe +has from one to forty namesakes in this country. There is one +exception, however; doubtless all know to what city I refer." + +In response to his inquiring looks, the group tried to appear as if +the name was familiar to them, but no one spoke. + +"It is hardly necessary for me to mention the city, but I may say it +is Constantinople." + +A contemptuous sniff greeted this proposal. + +"That's the worst yet," said Wade Ruggles, drawing a match along the +thigh of his trousers to relight his pipe, which had gone out during +the excitement; "the man that insults this party with such a +proposition, ought to be run out of the place." + +"What's the matter with it?" demanded Budge. + +"It's too long in the fust place," commented Ike Hoe; "it bothers a +man to git his mouth around it and it hain't any music, like the other +names such as Starvation Kenyon, Hangman's Noose, Blizzard Gorge and +the rest. I stick to mine as the purtiest of all." + +"What's that?" + +"'Blazes,' short and sweet and innercent like." + +Landlord Ortigies was leaning with both elbows on the bar. The new +name struck him favorably. + +"I'm inclined to agree with Budge," he said, "cause there hain't any +other place that's hit onto it. All of them names that you chaps have +tried to spring onto us, have been used in other places, or at least +some part of the names, but, as Budge has observed, no galoot has +scooped 'Constantinople.'" + +"'Cause no one ain't fool enough," observed Ike Hoe, who noted the +drift of the sentiment. + +"But they'll pounce onto it powerful quick if we don't grab it while +it's passin'; it's a good long name, and what if it does make a chap +sling the muscles of his jaw to warble it? All the better; it'll make +him think well of his town, which I prophesy is going to be the +emporium of the West." + +"Let's see," growled Wade Ruggles, "Constantinople is in Ireland isn't +it?" + +"Where's your eddycation?" sneered Ike Vose; "it's the oldest town in +Wales." + +Landlord Ortigies raised his head and filled the room with his genial +laughter. + +"If there was anything I was strong on when I led my class at the +Squankum High School it was astronermy; I was never catched in +locating places." + +"If you know so much," remarked Ruggles, "you'll let us know something +'bout that town which I scorn to name." + +"I'm allers ready to enlighten ign'rance, though I've never visited +Constantinople, which stands on the top of the Himalaya Mountains, in +the southern part of Iceland." + +"That's very good," said Budge Isham, who with his usual tact +maneuvered to keep the ally he had gained, "but the Constantinople I +have in mind is in Turkey, which is such a goodly sized country that +it straddles from Europe to Asia." + +"Which the same I suppose means to imply that this ere Constantinople +will do likewise similar." + +"No doubt that's what it'll do in time," assented the landlord. + +"I beg to offer an amendment to my own motion," continued the oily +Budge; "when the boom strikes this town, as it is bound soon to do, +and it rivals in size the famous city on the other side of the +Atlantic, there should be something to distinguish the two. We have no +wish to rob any other place of the honors it has taken centuries to +gain; so, while we reserve the principal name, I propose that we +distinguish it from the old city by prefixing the word 'New.'" + +"You mean that this town shall be 'New Constantinople?'" was the +inquiring remark of the landlord. + +"Precisely; and I now make the motion that that be our name." + +There were seventeen persons present and it looked as if a decision +was inevitable. The landlord was shrewd. His first act was to invite +all to drink at his expense, after which he made each pledge himself +to abide by the decision, whatever it might be. These preliminaries +being arranged, a show of hands was called for. The vote was eight for +and eight against the new name. + +"That's a tie," commented the landlord from behind his immense beard; +"and therefore the question ain't settled." + +"It's easy 'nough to settle it," said Ike Hoe. + +"How?" + +"Take another vote." + +"I don't see how that'll do it, onless some one changes his mind; but +again, gentlemen: all who favor the new name, raise their right +hands." + +Eight horny palms were elevated in air, while the same number were +displayed in the negative. The landlord looked troubled. + +"We must keep it up till some one weakens," observed Wade Ruggles. + +The host scanned the earnest faces in front of him. + +"Which of you gentlemen will promise to weaken if we keep this thing +up for half the night?" + +"I'll stay here a week," was the reply of Vose Adams, while the +general nodding of heads showed that he echoed the sentiments of the +others. The landlord met the crisis with becoming dignity. + +"Gentlemen, when I was a member of Congress, all questions that was +tied was settled by the presiding officer casting the deciding vote, +and which as aforesaid we don't lay any claim to being higher than +Congress, I therefore, by virtue of the aforesaid right vested in me, +cast my vote in favor of this city being called New Constantinople, +which the same is on me again; gentlemen, what will you have?" + +It was a coup d'etat, the victory being clinched before the opposition +realized it. Ere the company had fairly recovered from their +bewilderment, Budge Isham declared that the victory was really his, +due to the good sense and high toned chivalry of his friends, and he +insisted upon doing the honors. He would accept no denial and the +engaging style in which he acquitted himself of this duty restored +good humor. Thus it was that the little mining town of the Sierras in +the days that are gone received its title. + +The Heavenly Bower consisted of two large apartments, both on the +ground floor. The one at the rear was used by Landlord Ortigies for +sleeping, eating and partial storage purposes. When Vose Adams made +his quarterly visits to Sacramento, he was accompanied by two mules. +They were not necessary to take and bring the mail, since the pocket +of Adams' great coat was sufficient for that, but they carried down to +Sacramento several empty casks which came back filled, or rather they +were thus when the return journey was begun, but to the dismay of the +proprietor of the Heavenly Bower, he found that they were barely +two-thirds full, when unloaded at his place. Vose explained that the +leakage was due to the roughness of the trail. Since there seemed no +other way of overcoming this, the landlord sent an extra cask with the +request to Vose that he would confine his leakage to that and Vose +kindly obliged him. + +The stuff thus provided for the Heavenly Bower was generally in +concentrated form, thereby permitting a dilution which insured a full +supply for the customers who were afflicted with an eternal thirst. + +The bar room was of extensive proportions. Nearly all of one side was +occupied by the bar. Opposite was the huge fireplace, and scattered +around were a number of stools, rickety chairs and strong boxes which +served equally well for seats. + +The crackling fire, the genial warmth and good cheer within the room +were the more striking because of their contrast with the howling +storm without. The gale roared around the corners of the rude but +strong structure, rattling against the massive door and the log walls, +spitting vicious gusts down the chimney and flinging great drifts +hither and yon with a fury that threatened to send the building +skurrying through the snowy space. + +"It's the worst blizzard we ever had," remarked Wade Ruggles, after +one of these violent outbursts; "God pity any one that's abroad +to-night." + +"It reminds me of that zephyr last winter," observed Vose Adams, "when +I was bringing your freight, Max, from Sacramento." + +"I remember," nodded the landlord; "you started with two kegs and got +here with about half a one; the leakage was tremenjus on that trip." + +"True; the blizzards is always rough on Mountain Dew, and sorter makes +it shrink," replied the unblushing Vose. + +"Can't you stop the casks leaking so much," inquired Felix Brush, who +had been a parson in Missouri, and claimed that he had never been +"unfrocked." + +The landlord solemnly swayed his head. + +"Not as long as Vose has charge of the freight----" + +At that instant a dull but resounding thump was heard on the roof +overhead. It shook every log in the structure, checked speech and +caused each man to look wonderingly at his neighbor. + +"The mountain has fell on us!" exclaimed Ike Hoe in a husky whisper. + +"If it was the mountain," said Budge Isham, slightly raising his +voice, as the courage of the party came back; "none of us would be +able to tell of it." + +"Then it's a rock--well, I'm blessed! the thing is moving!" + +Something was certainly astir in the mass of snow overhead. + +"I guess it's a angel that has lost its way," submitted Hoe. + +"More likely it's a grizzly b'ar that's stumbled off the rocks--" + +But all these speculations were scattered to the winds by the sound of +a voice muffled and seemingly far away, which came to them through the +storm: + +"_Helloa, the house_!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHAT THE BLIZZARD BROUGHT TO NEW CONSTANTINOPLE + + +A moment after the hail was heard from the roof, the muffled noise +which accompanied it ceased. The stranger groping about in the snowy +gloom had stepped off the roof into the huge drift outside the +Heavenly Bower, and a minute later, lifted the latch of the door and +pushed in among the astonished miners. They saw the figure of a sturdy +man holding something in his arms, so wrapped round with blankets and +coverings that no one could tell its nature. He stamped the snow from +his boots, shook himself like a shaggy dog, then walked heavily to the +chair which Budge Isham placed near the fire for him, and almost fell +into it. + +"Good evening, friends," he said in a grave voice; "It was no fault of +mine that I tried at first to enter by the roof." + +"When I built the Heavenly Bower," replied Landlord Ortigies; "I +meant to place a door up there, but there wasn't anybody in New +Constantinople with enough sense to know how to do it. I 'spose you +was looking fur it, stranger." + +"No," was the reply, "I wasn't looking for anything; I was just +walking, walking through the storm, not knowing or caring where I +went. I can't say how far I came, but it must have been a number of +miles. I was still plodding on, when I set my foot on vacancy and down +I went." + +"Gracious! you fell nearly a hundred feet," said Parson Brush; "it was +a wonderful providence that saved you from being dashed to death." + +"The snow on the roof must be five or six feet deep," replied the +stranger; "for it received me as if it were a feather bed. I saw a +glow from the top of your chimney against the rocks and knew I was on +the roof of a house. I hardly felt jarred and groped my way off into a +lot more snow and here I am." + +The astonishment of the listeners did not make them forget the laws of +hospitality. Budge Isham looked significantly at the landlord, but he +had already drawn a glass of spirits and was coming from behind the +bar with it. + +"Stranger, swallow this; you look cold; you're welcome to the Heavenly +Bower, whether you come through the roof or down the chimbley." + +"Thank you; I'll take the whiskey in a minute." + +And then feeling that he owed those who made him so welcome some +explanation of his coming among them, the stranger said: + +"My friends, my name is Maurice Dawson. About two months ago, I left +Independence, Missouri, with an emigrant train for the Pacific coast. +The elements, disease and the Indians made such inroads upon us that +after a time only half a dozen families remained. As if that wasn't +enough, the few survivors quarreled over the course to follow, most of +them aiming for a pass through the mountains into Southern California, +while I, the greatest fool of them all, set out to find Dead Man's +Gulch, of which I had heard from a party of trappers. My canvas +covered wagon, with a single span of horses, contained all my worldly +goods, and my companions were my wife and little girl Nellie, only +three years old. Everything might have gone well but for this +blizzard, which jumbled up the points of the compass and made +traveling so difficult that after a time it became impossible." + +All were listening with the closest interest, and every heart was +touched by the emotion of the man, which he could not control for +several minutes. No one interrupted, and, feeling that his story was +not quite completed, he added: + +"I fired my gun in the hope of attracting attention, but fortunately +for others I was the only one abroad. By and by the horses stopped. +They could draw the wagon no further. They stood panting and exhausted +and soon lay down in the snow. I turned to speak to my wife, when I +found she had been dead for some minutes, the cold carrying her off as +quietly as if she were dropping asleep. Before she passed away, she +wrapped nearly all her clothing about Nellie, who was cuddling beside +her, so that really the mother, like the noble woman she was, gave her +life for the little one. It was because Nellie was alive, that I +jumped out of the wagon and began floundering through the snow. I +ploughed blindly forward until providence guided me to you." + +While uttering the last words, Maurice Dawson was tenderly unwrapping +the bundle in his arms. There were many folds to draw away, but at +last he reached the treasure within, which was his Nellie, still sound +asleep. + +If the miners were startled by the resounding thump on the roof, they +were now almost struck dumb with amazement. They sat with open mouths, +staring eyes and for a minute no one spoke or stirred. + +"God bless you, my Nellie," murmured the father, bending his head and +touching his lips to the cool forehead; "I had no hope of this when I +left your dead mother and started on my tramp through the snow." + +A general sigh went up from the group of awed miners. Wade Ruggles, +who had been leaning on the bar, with his gaze fixed on that of the +handsome stranger, was the first to recover from the spell which held +them all. Tiptoeing across the room, he paused in front of the father +and his child and stared, wondering and speechless. Then one by one +the others did the same, until the whole company were grouped around +the man and child, each afraid to whisper, as if doing so would +dissolve the heavenly vision. + +When the wrappings had been laid aside, and the little one was placed +upright, she stared bewildered into the shaggy faces around her. Her +big blue eyes were open to their widest extent, the mass of golden +curls rippled about her shoulders and the fairy-like feet were +inclosed in thick, warm shoes and stockings. The dress of a dull brown +color and thick texture, fitted her tiny frame perfectly and she +formed a most winsome picture of infantile beauty. + +For fully five minutes all stared in silence at the marvelous picture. +As before, Wade Ruggles was the first to come to himself, but when he +spoke, it was in an awed, hesitating whisper: + +"Is she really alive?" + +The sorrowful face of the father lit up with a faint smile as he +answered: + +"Yes; thank heaven; alive and well." + +"May I touch her?" timidly asked Ike Hoe, extending his finger which +faintly brushed the rosy cheek, and was instantly snatched away as if +he felt he had done a sacrilegious thing. + +"I say," ventured Ruggles gathering courage, "I wonder now if she +would let me take her in my arms for a minute or so; I won't drop her; +but that's too much to ask, howsumever." + +While he stood hopeful, hesitating and doubtful, Nellie with a half +frightened smile, dived her head under the arm of her father, as if to +get away from the embarrassing situation. He gently fondled the golden +hair and drew her face into view again. + +"There, little one, there's nothing to be frightened at; these people +are all your friends and will do anything they can to please you." + +"You're right!" exclaimed Landlord Ortigies, with a shake of his head; +"we'll do anything in the world for you; if you say the word, I'll +stand on my head or stand any one else here the same way." + +And he showed an alarming inclination to invert himself for the +amusement of the child, but she did not seem to grasp the meaning of +the offer. She fixed her eyes upon Ruggles, who made bold by what +seemed a favorable sign, took a step forward and invitingly extended +his hands. She debated for a moment, whether to meet the proffer and +then with the impulsiveness of infancy leaned toward him. With a +thrill of pleasure the grizzled miner carefully placed his huge arms +underneath hers, and lifted her as if she were a doll from her +father's knee. As he did so, every one saw the big tears trickling +down his cheeks. + +"I can't help it, boys," he said apologetically; "the last child I +held in these arms was my own Jennie, and she was dead." + +With infinite affection, he pressed his bearded lips against the +chubby cheek, while she, relieved of all fear, flung her dimpled arms +about his neck and kissed him in return. With one hand, she lifted the +flapping hat from his head and with the other smoothed away the +luxuriant hair from his forehead. + +"I like you ever so much, but you are crying," she said sympathetically; +"what makes you do that? Haven't you got a little girl like me?" + +"No, my precious child; I once had just such a sweet tot as you, but +the good Lord took her from me, and I love you just as I loved her." + +"And that's what we all are going to do," remarked Ike Hoe, with a +sniff as he drew his sleeve across his eyes; "this beats anything in +the history of New Constantinople, by seven hundred and eighty-four +thousand majority." + +"Come, Wade, you must be fair with us," said the landlord, reaching +out his arms; "we all claim an equal share in her." + +The miner felt the truth of this, and without a word relinquished the +treasure. Drawing his handkerchief, he wiped his eyes clear of their +mist and jealously followed the surrendered one as she was fondled in +turn by the others. First one and then another, until she had +completed the round. All had something pleasant to say to her and she +replied in her sweet innocent way, causing laughter and winning her +path straight to the hearts of the hardy fellows, to whom such +endearments had been unknown for years, but whose better natures were +stirred by the presence of the child, as if she were in reality an +angel sent from heaven. + +Felix Brush had purposely left his turn for the last, hoping thereby +to retain her longer than his friends. After chatting with her for a +moment and repeating some rigmarole that set her laughing, followed by +the request for him to say it again, he stood her on the bar. Then he +danced in front of her, swung his arms like a jumping-jack, and told +some outlandish fairy story from the stock that no one had ever +suspected he possessed. + +"Can you stand on your head?" asked Nellie, rippling over with fun. + +"Certainly," he replied, as without a moment's hesitation, he inverted +himself and cracked his heels together, though the attitude was such +an unfamiliar one that he careened and went over on his back with a +thump that made the room tremble. Nellie clapped her chubby hands +with delight and before Brush could repeat the performance, she +called: + +"Catch me; I'm going to jump." + +"All right; I'm ready for you." + +She recoiled a step to gather momentum and Landlord Ortigies, +terrified at the fear that she might step off backward, made a dive +round the end of the bar, catching his foot in an obstruction and +falling with a crash that drew all attention to him. + +"I'm so sorry; be you hurt?" asked Nellie, turning her head and +surveying him, as his face came up to view like the full moon rising +above the horizon. + +"Not a bit; I done that on purpose to make you laugh; I always do that +to please good little girls like you." + +"Bime by I'll let you fall all the time, but just see me jump." + +Felix Brush was still standing, with arms outstretched, and, without a +second's hesitation the child leaped off into space. She showed no +fright, for there was no cause for it, since she was caught fairly and +securely. Inasmuch as she had been fondled by every one, and the +parson had had her longer than anyone else, he set her down on the +floor and she began running here and there, displaying a childish +curiosity to understand everything in sight. Going to the half-opened +door, communicating with the darkened apartment at the rear, she +peeped timidly in. + +"Who lives in dere?" she asked, turning around and addressing the +whole group who were laughingly watching her. + +"That's where I live," replied Ortigies. + +"Do you live all alone?" + +"Yes, my child." + +"Haven't you got any little girl like me?" + +"No; I'd give all I have in the world if I had." + +"Wouldn't you like to have me for your little girl?" + +"Indeed I would; will you be my little girl?" + +The baby face became thoughtful. She thrust one finger in the corner +of her mouth and looked down at the floor. + +"What would papa do and those other folks? I will be the little girl +for all of you." + +This struck the party as the brightest and wittiest expression ever +made by a mortal. They laughed, clapped their hands and striking each +other on the shoulder wanted to know whether anything of the like had +ever before been heard. Certainly not. Without paying any heed to +them, Nellie was peering into the room again. + +"It's dark and cold," she said in an awed voice, turning her face +around, the better to communicate the information; "but I ain't +afraid." + +Before she could fairly enter the place, her father, who was +affectionately watching her, said: + +"I guess you would better not go in there, Nellie; it's growing late +and is time you prepared for bed." + +"I'll fix a place for her," said Ortigies; "we ain't much on style +here, but I can manage to make her comfortable." + +"But will it not discommode you?" + +"That little gal can't discommode any one in New Constantinople; if +she would prefer to have me go out and sleep in the snow, I'll be glad +to do it." + +"I've just the place for her," interposed Wade Ruggles; "couldn't be +better if I had taken a week to get it ready." + +"Can't begin with my quarters," Felix Brush hastened to say, and there +would have been a general wrangle for the privilege of accommodating +the little one, had not her father, seeing how matters were going, +smilingly raised his hand in protest. + +"I cannot tell you, my friends, how much I thank you all for your +kindness. Ah, if my poor wife could have held out until she reached +here, but that was not to be. I shall be glad to stay with Mr. +Ortigies to-night, and with your permission shall remain for a few +days in your settlement. I have lost everything I owned in the world, +and will need some time to decide what is best to do. Our stay in New +Constantinople will give all a better chance to get acquainted with +Nellie. I'll surrender her to you until you get tired of her." + +"Get tired of her!" repeated Vose Adams, voicing the sentiments of +all; "we're not the kind of galoots to git tired of an angel." + +The father expressed his thanks with such winsome grace, that every +man instinctively felt that he was a born gentleman. There was not a +miner in the room who did not sympathize with him in his affliction, +and yet they envied him the possession of the child, whose innocence +and beauty impressed them as more wonderful than they had ever looked +upon before. When Felix Brush whispered to Budge Isham that +arrangements must be made in some way to keep the father with them, +for the sake of having the child, his friend nodded his head, and said +he had made up his mind to the same effect from the moment the parent +referred to the matter. And the sentiments of these two were those of +the rest. + +"Come, Nellie, let me prepare you for bed; it's a long time since you +have had that privilege." + +The little one obediently walked to her father and turned her back to +him that he might better remove her clothing. + +"I suppose you have plenty of covering for her?" remarked the parent +inquiringly to the landlord. + +"There's all she can need." + +Lifting her on his knee, the father began removing the shoes and +stockings, the little one giving what aid she could, when it came to +the garments. One of the last acts of the affectionate mother had been +to place upon her child the gown she was accustomed to wear while +asleep. When at last she was ready, she looked up to her father and +asked in a half whisper: + +"Where's mamma?" + +"She will not be with us to-night." + +"Then she will come in the morning?" + +"Wait until then, my child; don't say anything more about mamma now." + +She was satisfied, and signified that she was ready to have her father +carry her to her bed. Then she exclaimed with a laugh: + +"Ain't that funny?" + +"What's that?" + +"I like to fordot to say my prayers." + +And slipping from her father's knee, she knelt on the floor, with her +hands covering her face which, as it pressed his knee, was hidden by +the mass of golden ringlets clustering and falling about it. Not a man +stirred or spoke. All were so silent that the sifting of the snow +against the logs, the moaning of the gale and the soft rustle of the +embers that broke apart on the hearth were audible. But all these were +as the "voice of silence" itself, so that when the child began her +prayer in a low voice, every syllable was heard. + + "Now I lay me down to sleep. + I pray the Lord my soul to keep; + If I should die before I wake, + I pray the Lord my soul to take. + God bless papa, mamma and make Nellie a good girl; bless--" + +Wheeling short round at the silent, awed group, she looked at the +landlord and asked: + +"What is your name?" + +"Or-ti-gies," he replied, pronouncing it carefully. + +She made rather sorry work at first, but there could be no doubt that +the One to whom she was addressing the petition understood her wishes. +When she had satisfied herself and included the landlord in her +prayer, she ceased again, and this time looked up at her father whose +hand was resting on her head. + +"I must pray for _all_ of them, musn't I?" + +"Certainly, my child." + +"But I don't know dere names." + +"They will all tell them." + +No act of worship in church or grand cathedral was more solemn and +reverential than that of the men, as each in turn stepped softly +forward with bowed head, and repeated his name to the tiny petitioner, +who immediately included it with those for whom she had already prayed +and it was wafted upward through space to Him who delights to hear and +answer such petitions. + +She did not forget one. To make sure, she looked up while still on her +knees and asked: + +"Did I fordot any of you?" + +"No," replied the parent; "you have not missed any. That's a good +girl." + +"And I know they will all be good, for I asked God to make 'em so." + +The father now rose to his feet with her in his arms, and she +called a general good night, flinging a kiss to all. Landlord +Ortigies had lit an extra lamp and with it in hand, he led the way to +the rear room, where as he stated, comfortable quarters were +provided for the little one. Since the Heavenly Bower was the only +place in the mining settlement where the wanderer, who occasionally +made his way into that remote part of the world, could expect to +find sleeping accommodations, Ortigies was always prepared for +visitors. Thus he was able to furnish the father with a couch so +placed that he virtually shared the bed with his child. + +Ten minutes later, when he stole back into the room with the landlord +to see whether everything was right with his child, she was found sunk +in the sweet, dreamless slumber of infancy. The picture was so winsome +as she lay with her cheek resting upon the rough pillow, that Ortigies +stepped softly to the door and beckoned to his friends. Everyone stole +forward, and stood looking down for several minutes upon the sleeper, +and, as he did so, new resolves sprang into his heart. Already it may +be said they were better men because of the blessed messenger that had +come among them. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A SLIP OR TWO + + +The blizzard gradually subsided toward morning, but when the fall of +snow ceased, it lay to the depth of several feet on the level, while +the gorges were choked with vast drifts. The cold was below zero and +no work could be done in the diggings until a rise in temperature +came. + +It was hardly light, however, on the succeeding morning, when three of +the miners accompanied Maurice Dawson in his search for the abandoned +wagon and team. There was not a trace of anything resembling a trail, +the footprints of the man having been obliterated by the wind-driven +snow, and the skill of the party was taxed to the utmost. Several +times they were compelled to rest, and Dawson himself suggested that +the search be given up until a change in the weather; but the kind +hearted men saw how deeply he grieved, and their sympathy kept them +toiling until about noon when success came. + +The wagon was so covered with snow that it resembled a hummock, which +ordinarily would have been passed without notice. The horses and the +inanimate form within were like blocks of wood. The slight figure was +lifted tenderly from its resting place and brought to Dead Man's +Gulch. + +Since the last recollection of Nellie was when she supposed her mother +alive, it was deemed kinder that she should not look upon the lifeless +form again. With hard labor the picks and shovels hollowed out a +shallow grave into which the form, wrapped about with a single +blanket, was laid away to rest until the last day. + +The father, when questioned by the little one, explained that her +mother had gone on a long, long journey and there was no saying when +she would be seen again. Nellie cried a good deal and it saddened her +parent's heart, when stealing softly into her room, he saw the traces +of tears on her cheeks. Who can tell the sorrows of childhood when +such a cruel affliction comes upon it? But it is a blessed truth that +time is the healer of all wounds, and after awhile the little one +ceased to ask about her mother. When the whole truth was told her, she +had become old enough to bear the blow. + +Maurice Dawson's first purpose was to remain only for a week or two +with the friends of himself and child. He had set out for the Pacific +coast, and, although it was still a thousand miles distant, he felt it +his duty to press on, but he suffered himself to be dissuaded, when it +was explained that the prospect of obtaining gold was as good at New +Constantinople, whereas, if he continued his journey, he would have to +make his home among strangers, who were not likely to feel the +interest in him and his child that was felt by those who were the +means of saving their lives. Furthermore, since he had lost his team, +he was without the means of pressing on. None of the emigrant trains +turned so far out of their course as to come to Dead Man's Gulch, and +nothing was plainer than that the citizens of that place would not +give the least help in an enterprise that was to deprive them of +Nellie. It is impossible to say what would have followed, had he +persisted in his first decision, for while the men might have +consented to let him go, they would have rebelled had he attempted to +take the child from them. + +And so it came about, we repeat, that Maurice Dawson decided to make +his home indefinitely in the town that had been christened New +Constantinople. With the help of his neighbors, Landlord Ortigies +divided his rear room into two apartments, one of which was turned +over to the parent and his child. Nearly every miner brought some +article, such as a fragment of mirror, a picture or trinket and +presented it to the little one, whose room naturally became the finest +in New Constantinople. + +Dawson himself joined the miners at their work, all showing an +eagerness to lend him a helping hand, and there was reason to hope +that in time there would be a fair reward for their labor. He was not +only an educated man, but was strong and enterprising, considerate of +the feelings of others, and now that his life partner was gone, he had +but the little daughter to live for. Gladly he toiled for her, for no +child was ever more tenderly loved by parent than she. His thoughts +turned to the future, but for some years he believed it was better +that she should remain where she was. + +Nellie Dawson became the pet of the mining town. There was not a man +in the place, no matter how rough his ways, nor how dark had been his +past, who was not made the better by her presence. She touched a +responsive chord in every heart. She awoke tones that had been silent +for years, and stirred into life resolves that had lain dormant for a +generation. When the weather grew milder with the approach of spring, +she flitted like a bird from cabin to cabin, equally at home and +dearly prized in all. Many a time when night came, the father was +unable to find her, and perhaps saw nothing of her until the next day, +but he never felt any solicitude. He knew that some of the men had +persuaded her to remain with them, and he was too considerate to rob +them of the pleasure of listening to her innocent prattle, while they +racked their ingenuity and threw dignity to the winds in the effort to +entertain her. Each one strove to make her think more of him than the +others, and it ended by her loving them all. + +As a rule, Nellie ate her morning meal at home, after spending the +night with her father, and then she was off for the day, returning or +remaining away as her airy fancy prompted. Her sweet influence in the +mining camp was beyond the power of human calculation to fathom. No +gauge could be placed upon it. Like the sweep of an angel's wing, her +coming seemed to have wafted nearly all the coarseness, wrong and evil +from her path. + +"There's a serious question that I want to lay afore this company," +gravely remarked Wade Ruggles one night in the Heavenly Bower. Dawson +was absent with a brother miner at the lower end of the settlement, so +the gathering felt at liberty to discuss him and his child. Wade of +late had fallen into the habit of taking the lead in such discussions, +and Landlord Ortigies was quite willing to turn over the honors of the +chairmanship to the outspoken fellow. + +The remainder of the company were smoking, drinking and talking as the +mood took them, and all looked inquiringly at the speaker, seeing +which Wade continued with the same earnestness he had shown at first: + +"It is this: that little angel that was tossed down here in the +blizzard is growing fast; she's larning something cute every day; she +notices things that you don't think of; fact is she's the smartest +youngster that was ever born. Does any gent feel disposed to dispoot +the aforesaid statement?" he abruptly asked, laying his hand on the +butt of his revolver and looking severely around in the faces of his +friends. + +No one questioned the assertion. Had it been left to them to choose +the words, they would have made them stronger. + +"Wal, the remark I was about to remark is that I hear some coarse +observations once in awhile. I may say that I have indulged in a few +myself when the 'casion was suitable and called for 'em, but I want to +give notice that the thing must stop in the presence of the angel." + +"Your suggestions generally ain't worth listenin' to," observed Ike +Hoe, "but there's solid sense in them words. I have been troubled over +the same thing and was goin' to submit a proposition." + +"You're a purty one to do it," commented Vose Adams scornfully; "why +it's only yesterday that I heerd you say 'darn' just because I +happened to smash the end of your finger, with the hammer I was +drivin' a nail with." + +"Did the little one hear him?" asked Wade Ruggles, while an expression +of horror settled on every countenance. + +"No, sir!" declared Ike; "afore I indulged in the expression, so +proper under the tryin' circumstances, I looked round to make sartin +she wasn't in hearing distance." + +"You must have looked very quick," said Vose; "for the horrible words +was simultaneous with the flattenin' of your big forefinger. +Howsumever, I gazed round myself and am happy to say she warn't in +sight. If she had been, I'd smashed all your fingers." + +"A very proper Christian spirit," commended Wade; "I hope all the rest +of you will strive to emerlate it." + +Felix Brush was leaning on the end of the bar with a glass of steaming +toddy, which he had partly sipped, and was now caressing with his +hand. + +"Gentlemen," said he impressively, "permit me a word. Wade has touched +a subject which appeals to us all. I have given it much thought for +the past few days and feel it my duty to look after the religious +instruction of the child." + +Two or three disrespectful snickers followed this declaration. The +parson instantly flared up. + +"If any reprobate here feels a desire to scoff, he's only to step +outside for a few minutes and see who can get the drop on the other." + +Everybody knew that the parson was always well heeled, and no one +questioned his courage. His friends contented themselves with pitying +smiles and significant glances at one another. Felix hastily +swallowed his toddy, with the evident intention of airing his emphatic +views, when Wade Ruggles interposed: + +"Pards, you're gettin' off the track; we hain't got to the religious +racket yit; that'll come later. What I want to 'rive at is as to using +cuss words and unproper language where the angel hears it. It ain't +'nough for us to agree that we won't do it; it must be fixed so we +don't take no chances." + +This was not exactly clear and Wade was asked to be more explicit. + +"I mean that there must be a penalty, such as will stop a galoot that +has once offended from doing the same thing again." + +This clearly intimated that the punishment which the chairman had in +mind was of a frightful nature. The landlord begged Wade to come down +to particulars. + +"My idee is that whoever offends this little one by unproper language +shall be filled full of bullet holes: how does _that_ strike you?" + +"It hits me just right!" responded the landlord, with several nods of +his head; "but there's one thing in the way." + +"What's that?" demanded Wade, showing some temper at this attack upon +his scheme. + +"It 'lows a man to say the unproper words in the hearin' of the angel, +_afore_ he's shot; so it won't prevent her ears from being 'fended. +Can't we fix it some way, so that she shan't hear 'em at all?" + +"There's no trouble about that," solemnly remarked Budge Isham from +his seat at the further end of the room; "You have only to find out +when a fellow has made up his mind to use improper language in the +presence of the child, and then shoot him before he can say the +words." + +"But how shall we know he's going to say 'em?" inquired the chairman, +who in the earnestness of his feelings felt no suspicion of the +honesty of his friend. + +"You will have to judge that by the expression of his countenance. I +think when a fellow has made up his mind to swear his looks give +notice of what is coming. The rest of us must be on the alert and pick +him off before the words get out of his mouth. And yet I am sorry to +say," added Budge gravely rising to his feet, "that there is one +serious drawback to my proposition." + +"The chairman is anxious to hear it." + +"There might be mistakes made. A man's expression is not always an +index of his thoughts. He might be suffering from some inward pain, +and be in the act of uttering some expression, but his face could have +so mean a look that if our law was in force, he would be shot on +sight. For instance, studying these faces all turned toward me, I +should say, speaking on general principles, that all except one or +two deserve, not shooting, but hanging, and if looks were to determine +a man's depth of infamy, mighty few of you would live five minutes." + +Budge sank gravely into his seat and resumed smoking, while his +friends, understanding his trifling character, contemptuously refused +attention to his disrespectful remarks. In the general discussion +which followed, several insisted that the only proper punishment for +the grave offence was death; but the sentiment crystallized into the +feeling that that penalty was somewhat severe for the first breaking +of the law. It was proper enough for the second crime, but a man who +had been accustomed to picturesque and emphatic words was liable to +err once at least while on the road to reformation. The agreement +finally reached was that the offender should be heavily fined, +compelled to fast several days, or, more frightful than all, be +deprived of the privileges of the bar for the same length of time. +When the last penalty was fixed there were several suppressed groans +and a general setting of lips, with the unshakable resolve to steer +clear of that appalling punishment. + +Everything was serene for several days, when, as might have been +anticipated, the explosion came. Al Bidwell, in coming out of the +Heavenly Bower, caught the toe of one of his boots and fell forward on +his hands and knees. Two of his friends seeing him naturally laughed, +whereupon, as he picked himself up, he demanded in the name of the +presiding genius of hades, what they saw to laugh at. By way of +answer, one of them pointed to Nellie Dawson, who ran forward to help +him to his feet. + +"Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Bidwell? I's so sorry." + +"You may well be, little one," was the bitter response, as he realized +his awful offence; "for this will play thunder with me--there it goes +agin! Please don't say another word," he exclaimed desperately, +striding down the street to save himself from piling up a mountain of +unpardonable crimes. + +The committee did not gather until late that evening, for Nellie was +at home and it was thought advisable to wait until she was asleep, so +that she should not know anything of what was in the air. The +conversation was in subdued tones until Mr. Dawson tip-toed out of the +rear room, with the announcement that the little one was sunk in +slumber. + +"Such bein' the case," remarked Wade Ruggles, with becoming gravity, +"this meeting will proceed to bus'ness. Pards, a hein'us crime has +been committed among us. In the proud history of New Constantinople, +we've had hangin' bees; we've shot three Injins 'cause they _was_ +Injins; there has been any number of holes plugged inter them as was a +little careless of speech, and more'n once there has been the devil to +pay, but nothin' like this, _never_! Vose Adams, you was one as heard +this wretch Bidwell indulge in his shocking profanity. You'll be good +'nough to give the partic'lars to the gents that I must warn to brace +themselves fur the shock." + +Vose Adams told the story which was familiar to all. He and Budge +Isham were approaching the Heavenly Bower that forenoon, the cause +being a due regard for the requirement of the laws of health, when +Albert Bidwell, the accused, stubbed his toe. Hearing a laugh, he +looked up and demanded to know what the ---- they were laughing at. +While the query, though objectionable on æsthetic grounds, might have +passed muster in the diggings or anywhere in New Constantinople +previous to the advent of the angel at present making her home with +them, yet the horror of the thing was that the aforesaid angel heard +it. She ran to the help of the villain, who added to his monumental +crime by calmly remarking to her that what he had just said would play +thunder with him. + +This second offence was unanimously felt by those present to be more +unpardonable than the first, since it was in the nature of an +addendum, had nothing to do with the business proper, and worst of +all, was addressed to Nellie herself. + +Chairman Ruggles turned his severest frown upon the prisoner, who was +sitting disconsolately on a box, and drawing at his brier wood pipe, +which in the depth of his emotion, he failed to notice was unlighted. + +"What has the prisoner to say fur himself?" + +Bidwell shuffled to his feet, took the pipe from his mouth and looked +around upon the cold, unsympathetic faces. + +"Wal, pards," he remarked, heaving a great sigh, "I don't see that +there's anything partic'lar fur me to say. When a thing is fairly +proved onto you, you can't make nothin' by denyin' of the same. I've +been tryin' to walk a chalk line ever since the angel arrove among us. +Two or three times I fell over backward and bruised my head, owin' to +my tryin' to stand up too straight. I was just bracin' myself to do +the same as aforesaid, when comin' out of this disgraceful place, when +I took a headlong dive and struck the earth so hard, I must have made +a bulge in China. Two unmannerly ijuts that happened to see me, +instead of expressin' sorrer for my mishap, broke out laughin', and in +my righteous indignation, I asked them a emphatic question." + +"Ord'narily," observed the Court, "your explanation would do. In the +old times, nothin' would have been said if you'd drawed your gun and +give 'em a lesson in manners, but that aint the question afore the +house: Why did you do it in the presence of the angel?" + +"Didn't see her till after the crime was committed." + +"But why didn't you look fur her to larn whether she was in sight or +was liable to hear your shocking words?" + +"Didn't think of it." + +"Your reply only aggervates the offence. If any man feels that he must +swear or bust, he must bust, purvided the little one is in sight; or +he must hold in till he can climb on top of the rocks, or creep among +the foothills where he's sure of being alone. The Court hain't any +'bjection to your thinking all the cuss words you want to, but you +mus'n't speak 'em when she's about. You understand the position of the +Court?" + +"I'd be a fool if I didn't," growled the accused. + +"It's onnecessary to understand 'em in order to be a fool, Mr. +Bidwell, but how 'bout your second offence, when you used the word +'thunder,' and addressed it to the gal herself?" + +The prisoner felt that nothing could be said in palliation of this +charge. + +"That _was_ bad bus'ness, I'll confess; but I was so disgusted with +myself that I didn't know what I was doing or saying; the words come +out afore I had time to pull myself together. I was so afeard of +adding something still worser that I just rushed off to git out of +danger." + +[Illustration: AS HE PICKED HIMSELF UP, HE DEMANDED IN THE NAME OF THE +PRESIDING GENIUS OF HADES WHAT THEY SAW TO LAUGH AT.--PAGE 43.] + +"There's where you showed the first grain of sense the Court ever +knowed you to show. If I had been in your place, I would have jumped +off the rocks, into the kenyon, two thousand feet below. If you'd done +that you'd been saved the disgrace of being put on trial in this +honorable Court. Gents," added Ruggles, glancing from the prisoner +into the expectant faces, "since the man owns up, it rests with you to +fix the penalty for his crime of bigamous murder." + +The prisoner resumed his seat and the chairman looked around, as an +invitation for those present to express their views. When they came to +do so, a wide diversity came to the surface. Vose Adams suggested that +the criminal be compelled to go without any food for three days, but +this was not favorably received, since the rough, trying life which +each man had been compelled to follow at times during the past years, +made the punishment much less than it appeared to be. + +Ike Hoe suggested that instead of food, the accused's liquid +refreshment should be shut off for the time named. The accused +groaned. + +When this had continued for some time, Felix Brush, the parson, took +the floor. + +"Gentlemen, it's a principle in law to be lenient with the first +offence, and, since this is the first time that Bidwell has offended +and he deeply feels his disgrace, why not require him to apologize to +the young lady and stand treat for the crowd, with the understanding +that his next crime shall be visited with condign punishment?" + +"Do you propose to let him off?" demanded the wrathful chairman. + +"Yes; for this once, but never again." + +"I'll never consent to anything of the kind! The dignity of the Court +must be preserved; the law must be executed, and any man who says +'devil' or 'thunder' in the presence of the little gal, I don't care +what the circumstances, orter to be shot, so that there wont be any +delay in his going to the devil, where he belongs." + +"_O, Mr. Ruggles, I heard you_!" + +A little figure dressed in white stood at the door leading to the rear +room, and the startled auditors turning their heads, saw Nellie +Dawson, with her chubby finger pointed reprovingly at the dumbfounded +chairman. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SUITING THE PUNISHMENT TO THE CRIME + + +Wade Ruggles was speechless. He sat with his mouth wide open and his +eyes staring at the little figure, as if it were a veritable +apparition. All the others looked in the same direction. Nellie Dawson +stood for a moment with her finger pointed reprovingly at the +chairman, and then turning about ran back into the rear room and +plunged into her bed. + +"Max, quick!" said Ruggles faintly, pointing to the black bottle at +the rear of the bar. The landlord hastily poured out some of the fiery +stuff, and the miserable fellow swallowed it at a gulp. It served +partly to revive him, but he was really on the verge of collapse. + +The only one of the company not impressed was Maurice Dawson, father +of the little girl. He was sitting well back of the rest, where no one +paid attention to him. Comprehending the meaning of this incident, he +drew his hand across his mouth to conceal the smile that could not be +wholly restrained. Then he hurried back into the room to see that his +child was "tucked up" and properly covered for the night. Finding +himself in the dark, where he could not be observed, he laughed +deeply and silently, his mirth all the greater because of the +oppressive gravity of every one else. Then bending over, he said, as +he kissed the little one: + +"I thought you were asleep, Nellie?" + +"So I was, but Mr. Ruggles spoke those bad words so loud he woked +me." + +"You mustn't get up again, will you?" + +"Not if you don't want me to." + +"I have just told you I don't wish you to." + +"Then I wont get up." + +The father lingered in the room, until he mastered his disposition to +laugh, and then, when he walked out among his friends no countenance +was graver than his. + +"I say, Dawson," said Ruggles, swallowing a lump in his throat, "will +you oblige me by acting as chairman?--I don't feel--very--well." + +The gentleman walked forward to where Ruggles had been standing with +his back against the bar, looking down in the faces of his friends. +The poor fellow seemed to have aged ten years, as he slouched off to +an upturned box near the door, where he dejectedly seated himself. + +"What is your pleasure, gentlemen?" asked Dawson, as if presiding over +the deliberations of one of the most august assemblages in the land; +"I am ready to hear any suggestion or motion." + +Al Bidwell rose to his feet. + +"Mr. Chairman, I wish to endorse with all my heart, the soul-stirring, +eloquent address to which we have just listened from the late Mr. +Ruggles,--I mean the late Chairman. Them sentiments of his is as sound +as a gold dollar. He maintains that any gent that uses an unproper +word, such as he used and which I scorn to repeat, in the presence of +the young lady, who has just listened to his remarks, oughter to be +sent to the individooal whose name is too shocking fur me to +pronounce, since the aforesaid young lady is in the adjoining +apartment, from whence she was awoke by the awful profanity of the +gent who lately served as our chairman." + +And having gotten back on Ruggles in this masterly manner, Bidwell sat +down, slung one leg over the other, and relit his pipe. The oppressive +silence was broken by a prodigious sigh from Ruggles. + +Parson Brush, after the stillness had continued some minutes, rose to +his feet. + +"Mr. Chairman, an extraordinary state of affairs has arisen. You have +not forgotten that I plead for charity for Mr. Bidwell, because it was +his first offence. My plea was not well received, but my sentiments +are unchanged, and I now make the same plea for Mr. Ruggles and on the +same grounds. When he was denouncing in fitting terms the sin of +Bidwell, he had no thought of committing the crime himself, but in +his earnestness he did. This being plain to all of us, I renew----" + +Wade Ruggles bounded to his feet. + +"I don't want any one to plead for me! I ain't pleading fur myself! I +can take my medicine like a man; if there's any galoot here----" + +He suddenly checked himself with an apprehensive glance at the door of +the rear room, and then resumed in a more subdued voice: + +"I insist that Al Bidwell shall suffer for his onspeakable crime and +me too, 'cause mine was onspeakabler. Jedgin' from the evidence that +showed itself, I must have awoke the little gal from peaceful slumber, +by them awful words of mine." + +He paused and looked inquiringly at the chairman, who calmly returned +his gaze, without speaking. It was Parson Brush who interposed: + +"I should like to ask, Mr. Dawson, whether the supposition of Mr. +Ruggles has any foundation in fact." + +"It has; when I asked Nellie what caused her to awake, she said it was +Mr. Ruggles when he used those bad words." + +"Just what I thought!" exclaimed Ruggles, as if he enjoyed heaping +fire upon his own head; "there ain't any depth of infamy which I +hain't reached. For me to try to sneak out now, when I made such +a----(Here he again threw a startled glance at the rear of the room) +would be to do something which Wade Ruggles never done in his +variegated career of nigh onto forty years. All I ask is that you'll +git through it as soon as you kin and fix our terms of imprisonment or +our deaths and hev done with it." + +Al Bidwell took an unworthy delight in prodding the man who had been +so severe upon him. + +"I beg humbly to suggest to the gent that there are plenty of places +in the mountains where he can make a jump of a thousand feet or two +into the kenyons. Wouldn't it be a good idee fur the gent to try it?" + +"I will if you'll join me," retorted Wade, turning upon him like a +flash. + +"I'll let you try it first and see how it works," replied Bidwell, so +crushed that he remained silent henceforward. + +"Since I am chairman," said Dawson, with becoming dignity, "it is my +duty to listen to suggestions and to hear motions. What is your +pleasure, gentlemen?" + +No one in looking at the countenance of Maurice Dawson would have +suspected he was extracting the keenest enjoyment from these +proceedings, yet such was the fact. There was something so intensely +ludicrous in the whole business, that only by assuming preternatural +gravity could he refrain from breaking into merriment. His policy was +to egg on the discussion until the company were ready for a decision, +when he would interpose with the proposal to wipe out the whole matter +and begin over again. The earnestness of Wade Ruggles, however, +threatened to check anything of that nature. He was on his feet +several times until Budge Isham, who shrewdly suspected the sentiments +of the chairman, protested. + +"With all due respect to the parson, to Ruggles and to Bidwell, it +strikes me, Mr. Chairman, that they should give the rest of us a show. +We have listened to their yawping until it has grown monotonous. +Having told us a dozen times, more or less, that he wants us to punish +him all he deserves, Mr. Ruggles ought to let it rest with that; but +he shouldn't forget," added Budge, with the solemn manner which always +marked his waggery, "that, if we took him at his word, he would be +kicking vacancy this minute. However, this hasn't anything to do with +his general cussedness, but concerns his offence against the young +lady. That is all there is before the house, and I insist that we +confine ourselves to that----" + +"Isn't that what I've been insistin' on?" demanded Wade Ruggles. + +"There you go again! I have the floor, and you have no parliamentary +right to interrupt me with your frivolous remarks. Am I correct, Mr. +Chairman?" + +"You are most unquestionably; proceed." + +"Well, to bring this tiresome matter to a close, I move that Mr. +Bidwell be deprived of the bar privileges of the Heavenly Bower for a +period of four days, and that the same be denied to Mr. Ruggles for a +period of one week. Did I hear a groan?" asked Budge, looking round at +the two men, who were trying bravely to bear up under the threatened +punishment. + +Both shook their heads, afraid to trust their voices by way of reply. + +"If the gentlemen will permit me," said the chairman, "I should like +to say a few words." + +"I am sure we shall be glad to hear from Mr. Dawson," remarked the +parson. + +"Thank you. What I had in mind is this:--It is creditable to your +honor that you should pledge yourselves to refrain from unbecoming +language in the hearing of my little girl, for you cannot help being +her instructors, no matter how much you may wish it were otherwise. +But you are magnifying the matter. I am sure every man of you will +strive just as hard, without being incited thereto by the fear of +punishment. I would beg to suggest----" + +He paused, for, looking at Wade Ruggles, he saw it was useless to go +further. Bidwell would have been glad to receive leniency, but his +partner in crime was immovable, and it would not do to punish one and +allow the other to go free. Dawson was wise enough to accept the +situation promptly. + +"You have heard the penalties suggested for the offences of the two +gentlemen accused. All who favor such punishment will show it by +raising their right hands." + +Every man in the room, except the chairman, voted in the affirmative. + +"It isn't worth while to put the negative. The accused have heard the +verdict, which is that Mr. Bidwell shall not drink a drop of anything +except water or coffee for a period of four days, dating from this +moment, while Mr. Ruggles is to undergo the same penalty for a period +of one week." + +"That's right," growled Bidwell; "for he drank about half of what was +in the bottle only a few minutes ago." + +"And you would have drunk it all," retorted Ruggles, "if you'd knowed +what was coming." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A HUNDRED FOLD + + +All this may seem a trifling matter to the reader who does not +understand the real punishment suffered by these two men, who, like +all the rest of their companions, had been accustomed to the use of +ardent spirits for many years. There was no deprivation which they +could not have borne with less distress, but their great consolation +was that both knew the penalty was fully deserved, and they would not +have complained had it been made more severe. + +"I tell you," said Bidwell, at the end of the fourth day, when he had +celebrated his release from purgatory, "it pays, Ruggles." + +"What pays?" + +"The reward you git for all this. At the end of a week you'll have a +thirst that you wouldn't take a thousand dollars fur." + +"But the week isn't much more'n half gone and I'd sell my thirst +mighty cheap now." + +"Don't you do it! Hold fast to it." + +"That's what I'm doing, 'cause I can't help myself. Howsumever it's +the thirst that's holding fast to me." + +"That's the beauty of it; it'll git stronger and stronger, and then +it's so big that you can't well handle it. It seems to me that ten +minutes after I've had a drink, I'm thirsty agin, which reminds me; +I'd like to invite you, Wade." + +"Invite all you want to, 'cause it won't do any more hurt than good; +don't let me keep you," added Ruggles, observing the longing eyes his +friend cast in the direction of the Heavenly Bower. Bidwell moved off +with pretended reluctance, out of consideration for the feelings of +his friend, but once inside, he gave another demonstration of the +truth of his remarks concerning thirst. + +As for Ruggles, only he who has been similarly placed can appreciate +his trial. No man is so deserving of sympathy as he who is making a +resolute effort to conquer the debasing appetite that has brought him +to the gutter. + +On that fourth night the thirst of the fellow was a raging fever. He +drank copious draughts of spring water, but all the help it gave was +to fill him up. The insatiate craving remained and could not be +soothed. It seemed as if every nerve was crying out for the stimulant +which it was denied. + +"The only time I ever went through anything like this," he said to +himself, "was twenty years ago, when a party of us were lost in the +Death Valley. Three of 'em died of thirst, and I come so nigh it that +it makes me shudder to think of it even at this late day." + +A wonderful experience came to Wade Ruggles. To his unbounded +amazement, he noticed a sensible diminution, on the fifth day, of his +thirst. It startled him at first and caused something in the nature of +alarm. He feared some radical change had taken place in his system +which threatened a dangerous issue. When this misgiving passed, it was +succeeded by something of the nature of regret. One consoling +reflection from the moment his torture began, was the reward which Al +Bidwell had named, that is,--the glorious enjoyment of fully quenching +his terrific craving, but, if that craving diminished, the future +bliss must shrink in a corresponding ratio, and _that_ was a calamity +to make a man like him shudder. + +On the evening of the fifth day, he ventured for the first time during +his penal term, to enter the Heavenly Bower. He wished to test his +self-control. When he sat quietly and saw his friends imbibing, and +was yet able to restrain himself from a headlong rush to join them, he +knew that beyond all question, his fearful appetite had lost a part of +its control over him. Still he believed it was only a temporary +disarrangement, and that the following day would bring a renewal of +his thirst, with all its merciless violence. + +But lo! on the sixth morning, the appetite was weaker than ever. His +craving was so moderate that, after a deep draught of mountain spring +water, he was hardly conscious of any longing for liquor. He seemed to +be losing his memory of it. + +"I don't understand it," he mused, keeping the astonishing truth to +himself; "It's less than a week ago that I was one of the heaviest +drinkers in New Constantinople, and if anyone had told me of this, I +would have been sure he'd lost his senses, which the same may be +what's the matter with me." + +But there was no awakening of his torment during the day, and when he +lay down at night, he was disturbed by strange musings. + +"If we had a doctor in the place, I would ask him to tell me what it +means. The queerest thing 'bout the whole bus'ness is that I feel +three thousand per cent. better. I wonder if it can be on 'count of my +not swallerin' any of Ortigies' pison which the same he calls Mountain +Dew. I guess it must be that." + +But that night he was restless, and gradually his thoughts turned into +a new channel. A momentous problem presented itself for solution. + +"If I've improved so much after goin' six days without drinkin', won't +I feel a blamed sight better, if I try it for six weeks--six +months--six years--_forever_." + +And as an extraordinary, a marvelous resolution simmered and finally +crystallized, he chortled. + +"What'll the boys say? What'll the parson think? What'll I think? What +would that good old mother of mine think, if she was alive? But she +died afore she knowed what a good for nothin' man her boy turned out +to be. God rest her soul!" he added softly, "she must have prayed over +me a good many hundred times; if she's kept track of me all these +years, this is an answer to her prayers." + +Budge Isham was the partner of Wade, and shared his cabin with him. He +slept across the room, and noticed how his friend tossed and muttered +in his sleep. + +"Great Gee!" he exclaimed, "but Wade's got it pretty bad; I wonder if +it's the jim jams that is getting hold of him; I'll sleep with one eye +open, for he will need looking after. What a blessed thing it is that +he has only one more day. Then he can celebrate and be happy. I have +no doubt that by the end of another week, he will have brought things +up to their old average." + +And with this conclusion, the man who a few years before took the +first honors at Yale, shifted his position, so as to keep an eye on +his comrade, and straightway proceeded to drop into a sound slumber, +which was not broken until the sun rose on the following morning. + +The sympathy for Wade was general. Had he not insisted upon carrying +out in spirit and letter the full punishment pronounced upon him, +there would have been a unanimous agreement to commute his term by +one or two days at least; but all knew the grit or "sand" of the +fellow too well to propose it. + +His actions on the seventh day caused considerable disquietude. He had +labored in the mines, in a desultory fashion up to that time, but he +did not do a stroke of work during the concluding hours of his ordeal. +It was observed by his partner, Budge Isham, that his appetite was +unusually good and he seemed to be in high spirits. His friends +attributed this to the closeness of his reward for his abstention, but +he took several walks up the mountain side and was gone for a good +while. He wore a smiling face and Vose Adams declared that he +overheard him communing with himself, when he thought he was too far +off for the act to be noticed. + +"No use of talkin'," whispered Vose; "Wade ain't quite himself; he's a +little off and won't be exactly right till after two or three days." + +"He has my sympathy," remarked the parson, "but it will serve as a +lesson which he will always remember." + +"And won't _we_ remember it?" said Ike Hoe, with a shudder. "When +we're disposed to say one of them unproper words, the picture of that +miserable scamp going a full week without a touch of Mountain Dew, +will freeze up our lips closer than a clam." + +That night the usual group was gathered at the Heavenly Bower. There +were the same merry jests, the reminiscences, the conjectures how +certain diggings would pan out, the small talk and the general good +feeling. Common hardship and suffering had brought these rough men +close to one another. They were indulgent and charitable and each one +would have eagerly risked his life for the sake of the rest. Quick to +anger, they were equally quick to forgive, mutually rejoicing in good +fortune, and mutually sympathetic in sorrow. + +There was more than one furtive glance at Ruggles, who was among the +first arrivals. Whispers had passed around of his strange actions, and +the surprise would not have been great had it been found that he had +gone clean daft; but nothing in his manner indicated anything of that +nature. He was as full of quip and jest as ever, and none was in +higher or more buoyant spirits than he. + +He suddenly called: + +"Dawson, what time is it?" + +The latest comer among them carried a watch which he drew out and +examined. + +"It is exactly half-past nine." + +"When did my punishment begin?" + +"A week ago to-night, precisely at this hour; I began to fear that you +had forgotten it." + +"No danger of my ever forgetting it," grimly responded Ruggles; "what +I want to know is whether I have served out my full term." + +"You have unquestionably." + +"Is there anyone here disposed to dispute this statement?" asked Wade, +standing very erect and looking around in the faces of his friends. + +No one interposed an objection. He had not only the sympathy but the +respect of every one. + +"You sarved your time like a man," remarked Ike Hoe; "the week is up +and you've give good measure." + +"Which the same being the case, I invite all to come forward and +liquidate." + +Never was an invitation responded to with more enthusiasm. The +grinning Ortigies set out a couple of bottles, intending as a matter +of course to join in the celebration. He feelingly remarked: + +"Wade, my heart bled for you and thar ain't a pard here that wouldn't +have been willing to take your place--that is for a limited time," the +landlord hastened to add. + +Each tumbler was half-filled with the fiery stuff and all looked in +smiling expectancy at their host to give the cue. He poured a small +quantity into his glass, and elevating it almost to a level with his +lips, looked over the top. + +"Are you ready, pards? here goes." + +Up went every glass and down went the stuff. But there was one +exception. While the glass was at his lips, and while the familiar +odor was in his nostrils, Wade Ruggles deliberately inverted the +tumbler and emptied the contents on the floor. + +It was the strangest incident that had ever occurred in New +Constantinople. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +TEACHER AND PUPIL + + +The group looked at Wade Ruggles in breathless amazement. He had +invited them to the bar to join in celebrating his release from +thralldom; all had filled their glasses and he had raised his own to +his lips, though several noticed that there was only a small amount of +liquid in the tumbler. Then, when every glass was upraised and there +was a general gurgling, he had turned his glass upside down and +spilled every drop on the floor. + +Before anyone could think of suitable terms in which to express his +emotions, Wade said, with a smile that rather added than detracted +from his seriousness: + +"Pards, never again does a drop of that stuff go down my throat! I've +suffered hell, but I've come out of the flames, and the one that +fetched me through is the little gal which lays asleep in the next +room." + +He did not attempt to deliver a temperance lecture to his friends, nor +did they trifle with him. They questioned him closely as to how he had +reached this extraordinary decision, and he gave a vivid and truthful +account of his experience. It made several of the men thoughtful, but +most of them felt dubious about his persistence in the new path he had +laid out for himself. + +"You know, boys, whether I've got a will of my own," he quietly +replied; "just wait and see how this thing comes out." + +It was noticed that Parson Brush was the most interested inquirer, +and, though he had comparatively little to say, he left the Bower +unusually early. He had begun his system of instruction with Nellie +Dawson, and reported that she was making remarkably good progress. Had +the contrary been the fact, it may be doubted whether it would have +been safe for him to proclaim it. + +And now the scene changes. It is the close of a radiant summer day in +the Sierras. Far down in the caņon-like chasm between the mountainous +spurs, nestled the little mining settlement, which had been christened +but a short time before, New Constantinople. Here and there tiny +wounds had been gouged into the ribs of the mountain walls, and the +miners were pecking away with pick and shovel, deepening the hurts in +their quest for the yellow atoms or dark ore which had been the means +of bringing every man thousands of miles to the spot. + +Far up toward the clouds were the towering, craggy peaks, with many a +rent and yawn and table-land and lesser elevation, until, as if to +check the climbing ambition of the prodigious monster, nature had +flung an immense blanket of snow, whose ragged and torn edges lapped +far down the sides of the crests. Ages ago the chilling blanket was +tucked around the mountain tops, there to remain through the long +stretch of centuries to follow. + +Down the valley, at the bottom of the winding caņon, the air +palpitated with the fervor of the torrid zone. He who attempted to +plod forward panted and perspired, but a little way up the mountain +side, the cool breath crept downward from the regions of perpetual ice +and snow, through the balsamic pines and cedars, with a revivifying +power that was grateful to all who felt its life-giving embrace. + +The sun hovered in a sky of unclouded azure. It shot its arrows into +the gullies, ravines and gorges, but made no impression on the frozen +covering far up in cloudland itself. Long pointed ravelings on the +lower edge of the mantle showed where some of the snow had turned to +water, which changed again to ice, when the sun dipped below the +horizon. + +The miners were pigmies as they toiled in the sides of the towering +mountain walls, where they had toiled for many a day. On the lip of a +projecting crag, half a mile above were three other pigmies, who +neither toiled nor spun. Viewed through a glass, it was seen that they +wore stained feathers in their black hair dangling about their +shoulders, with the blankets wrapped round their forms descending to +their moccasined feet. They were watching in grim silence these proofs +of the invasion of their homes by the children of another race, and +mayhap were conjuring some scheme for driving them back into the great +sea across which they had sailed to occupy the new land. + +One of the Indians was a chieftain. He had come in violent contact +with these hated creatures and he bore on his person the scars of such +meeting. All carried bows and arrows, though others of their tribe had +learned the use of the deadly firearms, which has played such havoc +with the American race. + +Suddenly the chief uttered an exclamation. Then drawing an arrow from +the quiver over his shoulder, he fitted it to the string of his long +bow, and pointing downward toward the group of miners, launched the +shaft. Except for the power of gravity, it would have been a foolhardy +effort, but guided by the wisp of feather twisted around the reed, the +missile spun far outward over the caņon, and dived through the vast +reach of space, as if it were endowed with life and determined to seek +out and pierce the intruders. The black eyes of the three warriors +followed the arrow until it was only a flickering speck, far below +them; but, before that moment arrived, they saw that it was speeding +wide of the mark. When at last, the sharp point struck the flinty +rock, and the missile doubled over upon itself and dropped harmlessly +to the bottom of the caņon, it was at such a distance from the miners, +that they knew nothing of it. They never looked up, nor were they +aware of the futile anger of the red men, who seeing how useless was +everything of that nature, turned about and soon passed from view. + +The incident was typical of the futility of the red man struggling +against his inevitable doom at the hands of his white brother. + +Half way between the bottom of the caņon and the lower fringe of the +vast mantle of snow, a waterfall tumbled over the edge of a rock, and +with many a twist and eddy found its way to the small stream, which +rippled along the bottom of the gorge, until its winding course +carried it beyond sight. Now and then a rift of wind blew aside some +of the foam, like a wisp of snow, and brought the murmur more clearly +to the ear of the listener, shutting out for the time, the faint +hollow roar that was wafted from the region of pines and cedars. It +was a picture of lonely grandeur and desolation, made all the more +impressive by the tiny bits of life, showing in the few spots along +the mountain wall. + +[Illustration: THE TEACHER HAD MARKED ON THE DARK FACE OF THE ROCK WITH A +SPECIES OF CHALK ALL THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.--PAGE 71.] + +At the rear of the row of cabins, and elevated perhaps fifty feet +above, was the comparatively smooth face of a rock, several square +rods in extent. At the base was abundant footing for two persons, +Parson Brush and Nellie Dawson. The teacher had marked on the dark +face of the rock with a species of chalk, all the letters large and +small of the alphabet. They were well drawn, for the parson, like +others in the settlement, was a man of education, though his many +years of roughing it had greatly rusted his book knowledge. + +Standing to one side of his artistic work, like a teacher of the olden +time, the parson, with a long, trimmed branch in his hand, pointed at +the different letters in turn and patiently waited for his little +pupil to pronounce their names. + +It never would have done to make the child keep her feet like an +ordinary mortal. With great labor, three of the miners had carried a +stone of considerable size to the spot, which served her as a seat, +while receiving instruction. It is true that she never sat still for +more than three minutes at a time, but that was enough to establish +the indispensable necessity of a chair. + +"You are doing very well, my dear," said the parson, encouragingly; +"you have received only a few lessons, but have mastered the alphabet. +I notice that the 'd's' and 'b's' and 'h's' and 'q's' puzzle you a +little now and then, but you have got them straight, and it is now +time that we took a lesson in spelling." + +"Oh, I can't do that, Mr. Brush," protested the queen, rising from +the chair, adjusting her skirts and sitting down again; "I never can +spell." + +"What is it to spell?" + +"I don't know; what is it?" + +"I can best answer your question by showing you. Have you ever seen a +cat?" + +"Do you mean a pussy?" + +"Yes; some folks call it that." + +"Oh, yes; when we came from where we used to live,--I guess it must +have been three or four hundred years ago, we brought my pussy along. +Her name was Nellie, the same as mine." + +"What became of her?" + +"She died," was the sorrowful reply; "I guess she was homesick." + +"That was too bad. Now will you tell me what letter that is?" + +"Why, Mr. Brush, don't you know?" + +"Yes, but I wish to find out whether you know." + +"It is C; anybody knows that." + +"And this one?" + +"A." + +"That is right; now this one?" + +"T; I hope you will remember, Mr. Brush, because I don't like to tell +you so often." + +The teacher continued to drill her, skipping about and pointing at the +letters so rapidly in turn that he was kept bowing and straightening +up like a jumping-jack. Then, allowing her to rest, he pronounced the +letters in their regular order, giving them the sounds proper to the +word itself. Nellie, who was watching closely and listening, suddenly +exclaimed with glowing face: + +"Why, that's 'cat'!" + +"Of course; now can you say the letters without looking at them?" + +After one or two trials she did it successfully. + +"There! you have learned to spell 'cat.' You see how easy it is." + +"Does that spell 'pussy' too?" + +"No,--only 'cat.' After a time you will be able to spell big words." + +"Let me try something else, Mr. Brush." + +The next word tackled was 'dog,' which was soon mastered. When this +was accomplished, the teacher paused for a moment. He was trying to +think of another word of three letters, but oddly enough could not +readily do so. + +"Ah," he exclaimed, "here is another. Now give me the name of that +letter," + +"D." + +"And that?" + +"A." + +"And that?" + +"M." + +"Now say them quickly, 'd-a-m;' what is the word?" + +"Why, it's 'dam'; O, Mr. Brush, I heard you say that is a bad word." + +The teacher was thunderstruck and stammered: + +"I didn't think of that, but there are two kinds of 'dam' and this one +is not a bad word. It means a bank of earth or stones or wood, that is +put up to stop the flow of water." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PUPIL AND TEACHER + + +Mr. Brush glanced nervously around, to learn whether any of his +friends were within hearing, shuddering to think what the consequences +might be. He believed that he could explain the matter to some of the +folks, but the majority were so radical in their views that they would +refuse to admit the distinction, and would take him to task for +teaching improper language to his young pupil. It caused him another +shudder at the thought that the same penalty that Wade Ruggles had +undergone might be visited upon him, though it is doubtful if the +issue would have been similar. + +"Ahem, Miss Nellie, when we go back home, will you promise me to say +nothing about this part of your lesson?" + +"You mean 'bout that bad word?" + +"Yes,--let's forget all about it." + +"I'll try, but mebbe I'll forget to forget it." + +"Likely enough," gloomily reflected the parson; "suppose we try some +other words. Ah, we have a visitor." + +At that moment Budge Isham climbed into view and sauntered smilingly +toward them. Brush added a whispered warning to the little one not to +forget her promise, though, since Isham was an educated man, there +ought not to have been anything to fear in his case, but the teacher +knew his waggish nature, and had good reason to fear the mischief he +would delight in creating. + +"Good day," was his cheery greeting, as he came up; "I hope I am not +intruding, but I thought I should like to see how you are getting on, +Nellie." + +"Oh, Mr. Brush says I am learning real fast; I can spell 'cat,' and +'dog,' and 'dam.'" + +Budge raised his hands in horror. + +"What in the name of heaven, parson, does she mean?" + +"Mr. Isham," said the gentleman, severely, "are you aware that you are +using improper language in the presence of this young lady?" + +"Explain yourself." + +"It is wrong for you to appeal to heaven on so trifling a question; it +is such a near approach to profanity that the dividing line is +imperceptible. I am sorry you forgot yourself, but I will overlook it +this time." + +Budge was really frightened, for though the distinction was quite +fine, he felt there was some justice in the position of the parson, +but he bluffed it out. + +"I doubt whether a jury would find me guilty, and in the meantime +explain the remark just made by Nellie, if you please." + +Thus cornered, the parson made a clean breast of it. Isham assumed a +grave expression. + +"The only criticism I can make is upon your taste in selecting a word, +susceptible of a questionable meaning. You know as well as I that if +this should be submitted to a jury at the Heavenly Bower this evening, +the majority would sit down on you, and it would be hard work for you +to escape the penalty." + +"I'm afraid it would," responded the parson; "it was a piece of +forgetfulness on my part----" + +"Which is the plea that Bidwell and Ruggles made, but it didn't +answer. However, I'll say nothing about it, knowing you will be more +careful in the future, while I shall not forget to put a bridle on my +own tongue. The trouble, however," he added with a smile, "is to make +_her_ overlook it." + +"She has promised she will do so." + +"Since that promise was made just before I got here, she has shown how +readily she can forget it." + +"I will give her a longer lesson than usual and thus drive all +remembrance out of her mind," said the parson resolutely. + +Budge Isham folded his arms, prepared to look on and listen, but the +queen of the proceedings checked it all by an unexpected veto. + +"Mr. Brush, I feel so tired." + +Her face wore a bored expression and she looked wistfully away from +the blackboard toward the cabins below them. + +"Does your head hurt you?" inquired the teacher with much solicitude, +while the single auditor was ready to join in the protest. + +"No, but mebbe it will hurt me one of these days." + +"It isn't wise, parson, to force the child; a great deal of injury is +done to children by cramming their heads with useless knowledge." + +The teacher could not feel sure that this counsel was disinterested, +for there could be no danger of his taxing the mental powers of the +little one too severely, but her protest could not pass unheeded. + +"You have done very well, my child; you are learning fast, so we'll +leave the spelling for to-morrow. Suppose we now try the commandments: +can you repeat the first one?" + +Nellie gave it correctly, as she did with slight assistance, the +remaining ones. She was certainly gifted with a remarkable memory and +possessed an unusually bright mind. Budge Isham was impressed by her +repetition of the decalogue, whose meaning she was unable fully to +grasp. His frivolous disposition vanished, as he looked upon the +innocent child and watched the lips from which the sacred words +flowed. He quietly decided that it would be inexcusably mean to seek +any amusement at the expense of the parson, and it may as well be +added that he never afterward referred to the incident, while it +seemed to have passed wholly from the mind of Nellie herself. At the +conclusion of the lesson, Budge complimented teacher and pupil and +said he would be glad to certify that Mr. Brush was the best teacher +in New Constantinople, and that it was impossible for any one to take +his place. Then he bade them good day and walked thoughtfully away, +leaving them once more to themselves. + +These were the most precious moments of all to the teacher, when the +formal lesson was completed, and he sat down for a little talk with +his pupil. He occupied the stone which served her for a seat, while +one arm loosely clasped the figure which stood between his knees. She +patted his cheek, played with his rough collar and shaggy whiskers, +while as he listened and replied to her prattle, felt as never before +the truth of the declaration that of such is the kingdom of heaven. + +"Mr. Brush," she finally said, "do you know why I love you?" + +"I suppose it must be because I am so handsome," he replied with a +smile. + +"No; it isn't that, for you _ain't_ handsome." + +"Whew! but you are not afraid to speak the truth, little one, and I +hope you will always do that. No; I don't know why you love me, +unless you are so good yourself that you can't help it." + +This was not exactly clear to the little one, and she stood silent for +a minute, gently fingering his long beard. Then she thought it best to +clear up the mystery without further parley. + +"I love you 'cause you're good." + +Even though the avowal was delightful, it caused a pang, like a +knife-thrust from his accusing conscience. + +"I am thankful to hear you say that, but, Nellie, I am not good." + +"Yes, you is, but if you ain't good, why ain't you good?" + +The logic of the reply of the adult was of the same grade as that of +the child. + +"I suppose the true reason is because I am bad. I am sorry to say it, +but I have drifted far away from where I ought to be." + +The dimpled hand continued to fondle the whiskers, and the little +brain was busy, but a wisdom that was more than human guided it. +Turning those lustrous blue eyes upon him she softly asked: + +"Will you do what I ask you?" + +He almost gasped, for he instinctively suspected what was coming, but +he answered without hesitation: + +"If it is my power I will do it, though it kills me." + +"Oh, I don't want it to kill you; this won't hurt you; will you do it, +Mr. Brush?" + +"Yes, God helping me." + +"Do like Mr. Ruggles." + +"How's that?" asked the parson with a sinking heart. + +"Don't drink any more of that red water, which makes men talk loud and +sometimes say bad words." + +"Heavens!" thought the parson; "she little dreams what she is asking +me, but it is not she but some One who is thus calling me back to +duty. Yes, my child, I will do what you ask." + +"You is as good and nice as you can be now, but then you will be a +good deal gooder and nicer," said she, warmly kissing him. + +"I hope so," he added, rising to his feet, with the feeling that he +was not himself but some one else, and that that some one else was the +young man away among the distant hills of Missouri, before he wandered +to the West, and in doing so, wandered from the path along which he +had attempted to guide and lead others. + +"I call myself her teacher," he mused, as he reached down and took the +tiny hand in his own, "but she is the teacher and I am the pupil." + +They had started in the direction of the cabins, when they heard +curious shouts and outcries in that direction. "There's something +strange going on down there," he said, peering toward the point; "I +wonder what it can be; let us hurry and find out." + +Firmly clasping her hand, the two hastened down the incline, wondering +what it was that caused all the noise and confusion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE PASSING YEARS + + +THE excitement in New Constantinople was caused by the arrival of Vose +Adams, the mail carrier and messenger, with his budget of letters and +freight for the Heavenly Bower. + +These periodical journeys never occupied less than two weeks, and in +the present instance he had been absent several days beyond that +period, so that some anxiety was felt for him, since every trip was +attended with more or less danger. He was exposed to the peril of +storms, snowslides, wild animals and hostile Indians. The elemental +disturbances in the Sierras are sometimes of a terrific nature. Twice +he had lost a mule, and once both animals went spinning down a +precipice for a thousand feet, in an avalanche of snow and were never +found again. Vose's only consolation in the last instance was that it +occurred when on his way to Sacramento, while in the former case he +saved one of the precious kegs, which he insisted was the means of +saving him in turn from perishing in the Arctic temperature. + +The shadowy trail wound in and out among the gorges and caņons, +beside towering mountain walls, at a dizzying elevation, over ridges +above the snow line, across table lands, through forests of pine and +cedar and tumultuous mountain torrents, where he took his life in his +hands every time he made the venture. + +The unerring marksmanship of Vose and his alertness reduced the danger +from the fierce grizzly bears and ravening mountain wolves to the +minimum, but the red men were an ever present peril. He had served as +the target of many a whizzing arrow and stealthy rifle shot, but thus +far had emerged with only a few insignificant hurts. He was ready at +the stated times to set out on his journey, and appeared indeed to +welcome the change in the existence which otherwise became tiresome +and monotonous. It mattered not that his friends often intimated that +he was starting on his last venture of that nature, for he believed +that his "time" had been set and it mattered naught what he did, since +it could not be changed. + +Vose explained that the cause of his last delay was the old +one--Indians. They had pursued and pestered him so persistently that +he was compelled to hunt out a new trail, longer and more difficult +that the old one, and which came within a hair of landing him into the +very camp of his enemies. However, everything had turned out well, and +he brought with him the most prized cargo that ever arrived in New +Constantinople. + +First of all, were the two casks of freight, which had suffered so +slight leakage, that Landlord Ortigies complimented the vigilance of +the messenger. Then he brought with him fully a hundred letters and +newspapers. Each citizen received one, and many had several. In every +instance, the grateful recipient paid Vose a dollar for his mail, so +that the reward was generous, including as it did a liberal honorarium +from the proprietor of the Heavenly Bower. + +In addition to the mail and freight, there were a number of articles +to which no special reference is needed. In one package, however, +every one was deeply interested, and Nellie Dawson more than the +others. Unknown to the father, a goodly sum had been entrusted to +Adams, with which to purchase such articles as it was believed the +child needed. These included material for numerous new dresses of +gorgeous pattern, stockings, shoes, slippers, ribbons, hats and even +gloves, trinkets and playthings beyond enumeration. + +When these were spread out before the little one, she clapped her +hands and danced with delight. She had never dreamed of or seen such +bewildering wealth, and the miners were repaid a hundred fold, while +the grateful parent thanked them for their thoughtful kindness. + +With no other person of her sex in the settlement, it would naturally +be thought that she lacked in many of the little attentions which only +a mother or adult female friend can give, but such was not the case. +There was not a man among them all, who had not been taught in the +hard school of necessity to become his own tailor and conservator of +clothing. Many had natural taste, and had not wholly forgotten the +education and training received in the homes of civilization, before +they became adventurers and wanderers. A consensus of views, all moved +by the same gentle impulse, resulted in Nellie Dawson being clothed in +a garb which would hardly have caused criticism in the metropolis of +our country. Not only that, but she was abundantly provided against +all kinds of weather, and with Vose Adams making his regular trips +westward, there was no possibility of her ever knowing the want of +thoughtful care. + +The education of the little one was never neglected. Enough has been +told to show her brightness, and even had not her teacher been +inspired by his affection for the little one, the task of imparting +knowledge to such an apt pupil must have been a constant pleasure. +This work, as we have shown, fell by common consent to the parson, +Felix Brush, though his choice at first was not unanimous. Wade +Ruggles was so insistent that he should have a part in the work, that +he was allowed a trial, but it cannot be said the result of several +days' effort was satisfactory. A stealthy inspection of the blackboard +by Budge Isham and the parson disclosed that Ruggles had constructed +the alphabet on a system of his own. Some of the letters were +reversed, several inverted, while the forms of others prevented any +one from identifying them except the teacher himself. + +An examination of the pupil developed the same startling originality +in Ruggles's system of orthography, which seemed to be a mixture of +the phonetic and the prevailing awkward method. Thus he insisted that +"purp" was the right way to spell the name of a young dog, whose +correct title was "dorg." Ruggles was finally persuaded to resign, +though he displayed considerable ill feeling and intimated that the +movement was inspired by jealousy of his success. + +Budge Isham not only refrained from referring to the slip which the +parson made in his spelling lesson, but spoke in such high terms of +his success with Nellie, that every one conceded the right teacher had +been selected, and it would be a misfortune for any one to assume to +take the place of the parson. + +Not until the final summing up of all accounts, will the full measure +of the influence of the little one be known. It was gentle, subtle, +almost imperceptible. Wade Ruggles never broke his resolve not to +touch liquor. Inasmuch as an appetite nourished for years, cannot be +wholly extirpated in a day, he had his moments of intense yearning for +stimulants, when the temptation was powerful, but his will was still +more so, and the time came when the terrific thirst vanished +entirely, though he knew it was simply "asleep" and could be roused +into resistless fury by indulgence in a single glass. + +The parson had a severer struggle. After holding out for days, he +yielded, and by his inordinate dissipation brought back matters to a +fair average. Then he set about manfully to retrieve himself. A second +time he fell, and then, thank heaven! he gained the mastery. +Henceforward he was safe. + +Maurice Dawson himself had been an occasional tippler for years, but +he felt the influence of example and experienced no trouble in giving +up the habit. Several others did the same, while more tried but "fell +by the wayside." + +Landlord Ortigies noticed the diminution in his receipts, but, strange +as it may sound, down in his heart he was not sorry. Like nine out of +ten engaged in his business he was dissatisfied, and like the same +nine out of ten, he longed for the chance to take up some other +calling which would bring him bread and butter and no accusing pangs +of conscience. + +Before the coming of Nellie Dawson, brawls and personal encounters +often occurred. The walls of the Heavenly Bower contained several +pounds of lead. Blood had been shed, and the history of the settlement +showed that three persons had died with their boots on, but those +stirring days seemed to have departed forever. + +Parson Brush did a good deal of thinking. When through with his pupil, +he was accustomed to take long walks into the mountains, his hands +clasped behind his back and his head bowed in meditation. It is safe +to conclude that Conscience was getting in its work with him. + +And so the seasons came and went and the years rolled on. Varick +Thomson, an old miner, who had spent years of fruitless toil in the +diggings of Australia, lay down and died, and the parson officiated at +his funeral. Two other miners grew weary of the poor success in Dead +Man's Gulch and went off on a prospecting tour deeper into the +mountains. A year later another prospecting party came upon two +skeletons, near a small stream of water, which after careful +examination, were pronounced to be those of their former friends, +doubtless victims of the ferocity of the red men. Three vagrant miners +straggled into New Constantinople one night and were hospitably +entertained at the Heavenly Bower. Their appearance was against them, +and, when they announced their intention of making their home at Dead +Man's Gulch, the suggestion to them to move on was made in such terms +that they acted upon it and were never seen there again. Thus it came +about that New Constantinople, instead of increasing in population +and making a bid for the chieftaincy among the new towns in the West, +was actually shrinking in numbers. + +And all this time, Nellie Dawson was growing fast. Her beautiful mind +kept pace with the expansion of her body. Her natural grace and +perfection of figure would have roused admiration anywhere. Her +innocence and goodness were an ever present benison to the rough +miners, who had long since learned to check the hasty word, to +restrain the rising temper and to crush the wrongful thought in her +presence. + +After a time, Maurice Dawson took possession of one of the deserted +cabins which he fitted up, or rather the community fitted up the +principal apartment for the young queen, whose rule was supreme. No +one else was permitted to share the building with them, though +visitors were constant and Nellie herself continually passed to and +fro among her friends. + +But those who watched Dawson saw that a change had come over him. +Formerly there was a quiet waggery in his nature, much like that of +Budge Isham, which led him to enjoy the rough pleasantries of his +companions, though he rarely took part in them, except as an inciting +cause. One of his greatest pleasures had been to sit in the Heavenly +Bower and exchange reminiscences with his friends, but all that came +to an end. Night after night passed without his face being seen in +the place. Those who called at the cabin were treated hospitably, but +he was reserved and moody, and often failed to hear the words +addressed to him. It was evident that there was something on his mind, +though he showed no disposition to make a confidant of any one. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CLOUD OF WAR + + +"I KNOW the cause of Dawson's trouble," remarked Vose Adams, late one +night at the Heavenly Bower. + +"What is it?" asked Wade Ruggles, while the rest listened intently. + +"On my last trip to Sacramento, two months ago, I brought him a thick +letter: that's what is raising the mischief with him." + +"But what was in the letter to make him act so queer?" + +"How should I know? do you expect me to open and read all the letters +I bring through the mountains?" + +"Bein' as you couldn't read the big letters the parson has painted on +the side of the rock a foot high," said Al Bidwell sarcastically, +"there ain't much danger of your doin' that, which the same is lucky +for them as gits love letters like myself regular by each mail." + +"Which the same you won't git any more onless you sling your remarks a +little more keerful," warned the mail carrier. + +"And the same being that you can't read the directions writ onto +them, I don't see how you're going to help yourself." + +"The postmaster at Sacramento is very obligin'," was the significant +comment of Vose. + +Bidwell saw the dangerous ground on which he was treading, and made it +safe by a jesting remark and an invitation to Adams and the rest to +join him at the bar. + +"We was on the subject of Dawson," remarked Ruggles from his seat, for +all had learned long before of the uselessness of inviting him to +drink; "and it's the opinion of Vose, I understand, that it was the +letter that has made the change in him." + +"There ain't any doubt about it," said Adams; "fur the attack took him +right after; I noticed the difference in him the next day. He sets by +himself these evenings after the little gal has gone to bed, smoking +his pipe, without any light in his shanty, and thinking hard." + +Wade smoked thoughtfully a minute and then remarked: + +"I wonder whether it wouldn't be a good idee to app'int a committee to +wait on Dawson and ask him what the blazes is the matter and whether +we can't do nothin' to make a man of him agin." + +Since Ruggles had become accustomed to act as chairman at the +discussions in the Heavenly Bower, he had developed a strong faith in +committees. + +"That's a piece of the most onspeakable foolishness that I've run +aginst since I settled in New Constantinople," observed the landlord +with a contemptuous sniff; "the minute the committee arrove and stated +their bus'ness, Dawson would kick 'em out of his shanty and clean +across the street, and he'd be lacking in the instincts of a man if he +didn't do that same thing." + +"Mr. Ortigies forgits that I didn't mean to suggest that _he_ was to +be a member of the committee; I meant they should be _gentlemen_; +consequently that bars him out and there wouldn't be no trouble." + +"I understand your sarcasm, Wade, but your words would leave you off +the committee likewise; but may I ask what the members would ask him +when they knocked at his door?" + +"Any gentleman wouldn't be at a loss what to say, fur he would only +hev to remark sorter careless like that he had observed the man was +acting so queer that we was afeard he was troubled with remorse over +some crime he'd committed, and about which he had got notice that the +officers was lookin' fur him, but that if he'd trust us and give a +description of the officers, so there wouldn't be any mistake, we'd +watch fur 'em up the trail and pick 'em off afore they could profane +New Constantinople with their presence." + +This was a prodigious sentence for Wade, and he leaned back and smoked +his pipe with considerable self-complacency, but it impressed none of +his hearers as he expected. Parson Brush shook his head. + +"It isn't a very wise way of introducing yourself to a man by assuming +that he is a fugitive from justice. In the first place, I am sure +there is nothing of the kind in the case of Dawson. He has probably +heard some news from the East that troubles him." + +"That's just what I was sayin'," broke in Ruggles. + +"But not of the nature intimated by you." + +"What else can it be?" + +"It might be one of a dozen things; I know you are all wrong in your +guesses." + +Every eye was fixed upon the parson, for all were anxious to learn at +what he was hinting. His face was unusually grave, but he stopped +speaking, as if he deemed it indiscreet to say anything more. He +noticed the looks and whetted the curiosity by adding: + +"I have been so disturbed over the change in Dawson that I called on +him last night and had a talk with him." + +"And what did you learn?" asked Budge Isham, the moment Brush showed +an inclination to stop talking. + +"Well, it was hard work to draw him out, but finally he told me he had +received a letter from the East, which made him think he would have to +leave us. That isn't the worst." + +All were breathless, afraid to give utterance to the dread that until +then was vague and indistinct in their minds. + +"He thinks he must take his daughter Nellie with him." + +"What! Take her away from us? That can never be allowed." + +None felt the anguish of the announcement keener than the man who made +it, but he looked calmly into the angry faces and said: + +"You forget, my friends, that she is his child and he has the moral +and legal right to do what he thinks is best for her." + +"But where are _our_ rights?" demanded Wade Ruggles; "they mustn't be +forgot." + +"We haven't any,--not a single one. But I am satisfied that one cause +of Dawson's distress of mind is the very question you have asked. He +can never cease to be deeply grateful to all of us for what we have +done for him and his child. He doesn't wish to take her away for it +will be as painful to her as to us. But friends," continued the +parson, with a sense of right that was creditable to him, "Dawson's +first duty is to his child. She is now twelve years old, quite a large +girl and is growing fast. She has never seen girl or woman since she +was brought here; she will soon be a young woman; she requires +association with others of her own sex; her welfare demands this; her +education and proper training can never be obtained in this mining +settlement." + +"Eddycation!" exclaimed Vose Adams; "what have you been doing with her +all this time? She must be as far along in her studies and eddycation +as me and Ruggles." + +"It is to be hoped so," replied the parson with a smile; "I doubt +whether she will meet any one of her age as proficient in book +learning as herself, but there remains music, etiquette, and above +all, the social customs and accomplishments which can be acquired +nowhere except in the abode of civilization. There is none upon whom +this blow will fall more heavily than myself, but I have no right to +interpose when a man is doing his duty." + +An exploding bomb could not have caused more consternation than the +news brought by the parson. Every one felt the truth of his words and +respected him for their utterance, but it was like asking them to +consent to the blotting of the sun from the heavens. + +"I see a way out of it," finally remarked Wade Ruggles with a +brightening face; "we can compermise." + +"In what way?" + +"Why, if Dawson feels that he and the gal must go, let him split the +difference atween us; he can go and leave her; that will satisfy +everybody." + +"It will hardly satisfy him, since the whole question is that of +taking her with him. He must be left free to do whatever he chooses." + +The parson looked into the gloomy faces turned toward him. + +"Boys, you have all heard the news brought by the last papers. Fort +Sumter has been fired on; President Lincoln has called for volunteers; +the Southern Confederacy has been declared and civil war has begun. It +is the intention of Dawson to offer his services to the cause of the +Union." + +"And I shall enlist too," declared Wade Ruggles, compressing his lips, +"but it will be on the other side." + +"I'm with you," added Budge Isham; "I am from Alabama, and if she +secedes, as she is sure to do, I am ready to lay down my life in her +defence." + +"Sorry, pards, but that shoves me into the Union army," remarked Al +Bidwell, puffing quietly at his pipe; "we must keep the balance right, +but we'll part friends here and we'll be friends till we shoulder our +muskets. Then we'll do all we can to kill each other." + +Further discussion disclosed that the citizens of New Constantinople +were about equally divided in their allegiance, but all of them were +not yet ready to take up arms in support of the cause with which they +sympathized. There were eight who announced their intention of making +their way to San Francisco, there to find the most available route to +the points necessary to reach. It was typical of that stupendous +struggle, the greatest of modern times, that four of these recruits +were ardent supporters of one cause and four equally eager to risk +their lives for the other. They were the warmest of friends and had +been for years, willing to face any danger for the sake of the +remainder. It would be the same until they parted, and then, as one of +them had already expressed it, they would devote every energy to +trying to kill one another. + +None of the volunteers faltered until Maurice Dawson decided to leave +his daughter at the settlement until his return, if so be he should be +permitted to return. He knew of no better or safer place for her, nor +of any friends to whose care he would more cheerfully commit her, in +case it should be his lot to fall on the field of battle. + +It had been Parson Brush's intention to be Dawson's comrade in his +perils, but when the father begged him to stay behind to look after +his child he consented. And so the programme, so fraught with +momentous consequences, was arranged. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE BLUE AND THE GRAY + + +The four years of stupendous war came to an end. The sun of the +Southern Confederacy went down in gloom and defeat behind the hills of +Appomattox, never to rise again, and blessed peace brooded over a +reunited nation, which shall endure through the coming ages to the end +of time. + +It was only the faint echoes of the mighty struggle that, faintly +reverberating across prairie and mountain, reached the little mining +settlement nestling among the solitudes of the Sierras. Vose Adams +made more frequent journeys to Sacramento, in order to gather news of +the terrific events, which were making history at an appalling rate. +Upon his return, the miners gathered round Parson Brush, or some other +one with a good voice, who stood up, with every eye centred on him and +every ear keyed to the highest point and they listened with breathless +interest until the thrilling story was read through to the end. + +The same diversity of sentiment that appeared at first continued to +the last, but the parson's earnest words and his insistence that no +quarrels should take place among the neighbors prevented any +outbreak, though more than once the point was perilously near. + +"If your sympathies are with the Union or with the South," he said +impressively, "there is nothing to prevent your taking up arms, but it +must be on the battle field and not here." + +And this wise counsel prevailed. Now and then some ardent partisan +shouldered his rifle, bade his friends a hasty good-by and hurried +away. One by one, they went until the new recruits numbered five. Thus +the population of New Constantinople dwindled to about one-half, and +retaining its exclusive tastes, permitted no new comers to join them, +so that the boom which in its early days was so confidently looked for +sank to zero and vanished. In truth it looked as if New Constantinople +was doomed to die of dry rot. + +Strange news came now and then from the men who had gone to the war. +Maurice Dawson wrote often to his daughter Nellie, whose letters, it +can well be understood were the bright spots in his life of adventure +and danger. She had improved wonderfully under the careful tuition of +Parson Brush, who, gaining experience, as he saw the brightness of her +mind, found his work of the most pleasant nature conceivable. She +displayed a thirst for knowledge and made advances which astonished +him. The books needed for her instruction were procured by Vose Adams +in Sacramento, and she valued such presents more than anything else. +The teacher declared many a time, with a certain pride, that she put +him upon his mettle to make clear the abstruse problems with which he +wrestled when in college. + +"How she will surprise the boys and her father when they come back," +reflected the parson; "it won't take her much longer to reach the +point beyond which I cannot lead her." + +To her friends who remained, the growth and improvement of the girl +were astonishing. Probably no one of her sex ever gave nature itself a +better chance to show what she can do with a healthy frame, when +untrammeled by the fashions and requirements of modern usages. Her +lithe, comely figure was perfect. She never knew an hour's illness. +The cheeks had the rose tint of health, the eyes were clear, the teeth +perfect and her spirits buoyant. As one of the men expressed it, she +was like a burst of sunshine in the settlement. + +But Parson Brush was thoughtful. He saw that she was crossing the line +into young womanhood, and that her own interests demanded that she +should go out into the world of which he had told her so much; that +she should meet those of her own sex and learn the mysteries of her +own being. The affection of her friends could not make up for this +lack. It cost the honest fellow many a pang when he thought of this, +but his consolation lay in the inevitable conclusion that nothing +could be done until the return of her parent or until his wishes were +made known. + +"If it so happens that he shall fall in battle, then a grave problem +must be met. It will not do for her to remain here; I will talk it +over with the others and we shall make some arrangement for her good," +and with this conclusion he was content to await the issue of events. + +Occasionally the parson received a letter from the father. The +missives were models in their way, telling of his experiences in the +service of the battles, of the prospect of victory and his faith in +the final triumph of the great struggle. He thanked the teacher for +his interest in his child and assured him that his kindness would +never be forgotten by father or daughter. + +Vose Adams continued his frequent journeys to Sacramento, for those +were stirring times and he was as anxious as his friends for news. +Always on his return he was met by Nellie some distance down the +winding trail, and, as soon as she was in sight, he held up the plump +letter for which she yearned, and over which she was made happy beyond +expression, and he never failed to carry back with him the reply of +the child, who knew how much it cheered the brave soldier in the +distant East and South fighting the battles of his country. + +For two years and more there was not a break in this correspondence. +Dawson must have been a good soldier, for, though he enlisted as a +private, he was soon promoted, and before the close of the two years, +was a full fledged captain, with the brevet of major. It was about +this time that one of his letters gave the story of Gettysburg. In the +hell-blast of Pickett's charge two of his old friends, who had left +New Constantinople to fight for the South, were riddled, and another, +marching at the captain's side, had his head blown off by an exploding +shell. Thus in one engagement three of the old residents of the mining +settlement were wiped out. + +Only once or twice was any news received of Al Bidwell. It was known +that Ruggles was with the Army of Northern Virginia, but no tidings +came of Budge Isham and Ike Hoe. The continued silence was accepted as +almost certain proof of their death, and yet both were well and +unharmed. + +One day in early summer, two sunburned, shaggy men rode down the +mountain side and drew up their horses in front of the Heavenly Bower. +They had ridden from the East and had come through many hardships and +dangers. One of them wore a partial uniform of blue, while the other +was of a faded, butternut tinge. The two had been engaged for years in +trying to slay each other, inclusive of their respective friends, but +failing in the effort, gave it up when the final surrender took place +at Appomattox. Both were from New Constantinople, and they now turned +their faces in that direction. Starting from widely separated points +their lines of travel converged and finally joined. When they met, +there was a moment of mutual sharp scrutiny, then an exclamation of +delight, a fervent handclasp and a moistening of the eyes, as both +exclaimed: + +"God bless you, old boy! There's no one in the world I would rather +meet than you! Shake again!" + +And they did, and henceforward they followed the same trail and "drank +from the same canteen." They shared their rations with each other, and +in the regions of the West, where danger lurked in the air, one +watched while the other slept, ready to interpose his body as a shield +between peril and his comrade. + +And what splendid soldiers the Civil War made! How those veterans +could fight! What pluck, what coolness, what nerve, what daring they +displayed! There was one stormy night beyond the Mississippi, when a +band of jayhawkers, believing the two men carried a few hundred +dollars, formed a plan for shooting both for the sake of the plunder. +There were six of the outlaws at the opening of proceedings, but at +the close just half the number was left, and one of them carried away +a wound with him, from which he could never recover, while the +defenders did not receive a scratch. + +"When I heard that rebel yell of yours," remarked the veteran who wore +the blue, "it tingled through my veins as it did at Chancellorsville, +Antietam and various other scenes of unpleasantness. I couldn't help +sailing in." + +"I didn't mean to let out the yawp," returned his companion, "but when +the shooting began, it was so like old times I couldn't help it. It +was real enjoyable." + +"Yes," was the dry response, "but rather more so for us than for the +other fellows." + +Three days later a band of Indians concluded to try their hand upon +the veterans, but the trouble was that the red men could not get a +fair chance. Before they arrived within effective striking distance, +the veterans began shooting, and whenever they shot somebody fell. The +thing became so monotonous that the hostiles gave it up in disgust and +drew off. Thenceforward the old soldiers had comparatively an easy +time of it. + +And so, after a ride of more than two thousand miles on horseback, +these two men entered Dead Man's Gulch and drew rein in front of the +Heavenly Bower. Their coming caused a sensation, for their looks +showed they were veterans of the war and were certain to bring +important news. The couple smiled and whispered to each other, for +they saw that no one suspected their identity. + +Among the wondering group that gathered round was Nellie Dawson. She +was profoundly interested, for Vose Adams had made two journeys to and +from Sacramento without bringing a letter from her father. Doubtless +these men could tell her something, and she stood on the edge of the +group, waiting for them to speak and for the opportunity to question +them. + +"Do you see her?" whispered one of the men. + +"Yes; gracious! hasn't she grown? Why, she was a little girl when we +left and now she's a young woman." + +"Blessed if she isn't! She wears such long dresses that you can see +only the tiny toes of her shoes; we've obsarved a good many purty +women since we left these parts, but nothing that could come up to +her." + +"You can bet your life! She hasn't any idee of who we are, nor +have the boys, but it looks to me as if the parson is a little +suspicious." + +Although the patronage of the Heavenly Bower had shrunk a good deal, +Landlord Ortigies was as genial and hospitable as ever. The new +arrivals had time only for a few secret comments, when he came +forward: + +"Strangers, you're welcome to the best we have, which isn't anything +to boast of; look as if you had rid a good many miles and you must be +as tired and thirsty as your animals. If you'll turn 'em over to Vose +Adams, he'll 'tend to them, and, if you'll allow me, you shall have a +good meal, which before the same, I beg to tender you some distilled +home brewed Mountain Dew." + +Thanking the landlord for his offer, the men dismounted and waited +outside, while he brought forth two glasses, half-filled with the +fiery stuff of the poetical name. One of the men took his and eagerly +swallowed it. The other held his aloft, where under the bright +sunlight it glowed crimson like blood. With his hand motionless for a +moment, he slowly inverted the glass and allowed the liquid to run out +on the ground. + +"Max, I reckon you haven't forgot when I done something like that some +four years ago," said the man, turning toward the astonished host. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +WAITING + + +"Wade Ruggles, as I'm alive!" exclaimed the delighted landlord, +rushing forward and grasping his hand. Instantly the group closed in, +and there was such laughing and handshaking that for a time nothing +was clearly distinguished. + +"I was suspicious," remarked the parson; "but, though you both had +beards when you went away, these have grown so much that they have +greatly altered your appearance." + +He scanned the other man closely, but before the parson had identified +him, several others had done so. + +"It's Al Bidwell!" + +"Yes," replied the laughing Ruggles; "that's the fellow, but I'm sorry +to say that since they made a major-general of him, he's become a +reg'lar dude. He doesn't go out when it rains for fear of soiling his +uniform, and the noise of powder makes him sick, so be careful how you +handle the delicate fellow." + +"Well, you do not need to be told," was the hearty response of the +parson, "that no one could be more welcome than you; let's shake hands +all around again." + +It was some minutes before the flurry was over, for the delight on +both sides was unbounded and the joy of the reunion great. + +One member of the group lingered in the background. Her face was +flushed with delighted expectancy, but with a coyness unknown in her +earlier years, she hesitated on the outer edge of the circle. She +could not mingle with the rush and waited until the flurry was over. +The men were scarcely less embarrassed than she, and while not +appearing to see her, both were watching her every movement. When the +time came that the meeting could no longer be delayed, Ruggles walked +to her and extended his hand. + +"Well, Nellie, aren't you glad to see me?" + +The crinkling of the whiskers at the side of the invisible mouth +showed that he was laughing, and indeed his white teeth gleamed +through his wealth of beard. Nellie promptly advanced and met him half +way. + +"Mr. Ruggles, I can't tell you how glad I am to meet you again." + +He had been asking himself whether it would do to kiss this vision of +loveliness. He wished to do so, but was afraid. However, the question +was settled by the girl, who, instead of taking the hand, flung her +arms about his neck and saluted him fervently, that is as well as she +could under the conditions. + +Al Bidwell came forward and was received in the same manner. Then, as +the two men stepped back and looked admiringly at her, she said: + +"I can see you are the same and yet those beards make you look +different; I love to think of you as you were when you bade us good-by +and rode off four years ago." + +"We shall be glad to fix up our faces in the old style," said Ruggles, +while his companion nodded assent. If she had asked them to cut off +their heads they would have unhesitatingly agreed to do it. + +"No doubt we've changed somewhat," said Bidwell, "but not one half so +much as you." + +"As I!" she repeated in astonishment; "why, I am just the same," and +she looked down at her dress, as if seeking the explanation of his +remark; "I haven't changed a bit." + +"Not in goodness and all that sort of thing, but we left a little girl +and now I'm blessed if we don't find a young woman, and yet it's the +same little girl after all." + +The maidenly blush darkened her face and she laughed. + +"You couldn't expect me to stand still all these years." + +"No; though we would have been glad if you had done so." + +The three were standing apart, the others with commendable delicacy +leaving them to themselves. Nellie laid her arm on the sleeve of +Ruggles, and looking up yearningly in his face she asked: + +"Can you give me any news of father?" + +"Being as him and me was on different sides, I haven't seen or heard a +thing of him since we parted in San Francisco, but I hope all has gone +well with him." + +She turned to Bidwell, who said: + +"Me and him was thrown together once or twice and I met him after +Gettysburg, where neither of us got a scratch, which is more than tens +of thousands of others can say. Then I seen him in front of +Petersburg, where we had the same good luck agin, but in the fighting +round there we lost track of each other. Are you worried about him, +little gal?" + +"Very much," she mournfully replied; "never once did Vose Adams come +back from Sacramento without one or two letters from him, but he has +now done so twice, and I haven't heard a word. I fear father is dead; +if he is, my heart is broken and I shall die too." + +What could they say to cheer her, for Vose Adams made still another +journey westward with the same dismal emptiness of the mail bag, so +far as she was concerned. Every one did his utmost to cheer her, but +none succeeded. The ground taken was that the parent had set out on +his return, but had been hindered by some cause which would be +explained when he finally arrived. When not one of the men himself +believed the story, how could he hope to make the mourning daughter +believe it? + +Felix Brush took a different stand from the others. He early settled +into the belief that Captain Dawson was dead, and that it was wrong to +encourage hope on the part of the child when the disappointment must +be more bitter in the end. + +"If you are never to see him again in this world," he said, at the +close of a sultry afternoon, as the two were seated on a rocky ledge +near the cabin in which she had made her home all alone during her +parent's long absence, "what a blessed memory he leaves behind him! +Died on the field of battle, or in camp or hospital, in the service of +his country,--what more glorious epitaph can patriot desire?" + +"If he is dead then I shall die; I shall pray that I may do so, so +that I shall soon see him again." + +"My dear child, you must show some of the courage of your parent and +prove that you are a soldier's daughter. Your blow is a severe one, +but it has fallen upon thousands of others, and they have bravely met +it. You are young; you have seen nothing of the great world around +you--" + +"I do not care to see anything of it," she interrupted with a sigh. + +"You will feel different when you have recovered from the blow. It is +an amazing world, my dear. The cities and towns; the great ocean; the +works of art; the ships and steamboats; the vast structures; the +railways; the multitudes of people; the lands beyond the seas, with +still more marvelous scenes,--all these will expand like fairy land +before you and make you wonder that you ever should have wished to +leave such a realm of beauty and miracles while in your youth." + +Nellie sat for some time in silence, and then rose to her feet with a +weary sigh. Without speaking, she turned to walk away, but not in the +direction of her own home. + +"Where are you going?" he asked. + +"To look for him," was her sorrowful reply. + +It was what he suspected and feared. He knew she had done the same +thing night after night for weeks past, even when the rains fell and +the chilling blasts made her shiver with discomfort. He could not +interpose, and with the reflection that perhaps it was as well, he +turned mournfully aside and walked slowly toward the cabins. + +Meanwhile, Nellie Dawson passed beyond the limits of the settlement +until all the houses were behind her. She did not sit down, but +folding her arms, after gathering her shawl about her, bent her gaze +upon the trail, which wound in and out at the bottom of the caņon +below, for a fourth of a mile, when a mass of projecting rocks hid it +from sight. + +Night was closing in. Already the grim walls, thousands of feet in +height, were wrapped in gloom, and few eyes beside hers could have +traced the devious mule path for more than a hundred yards from where +she stood. The clear sky was studded with stars, but the moon had not +yet climbed from behind the towering peaks, which would shut out its +light until near the zenith. + +The soft murmur of the distant waterfall, the sound of voices behind +her, the faint, hollow roar, which always is present in a vast +solitude, filled the great space around her and made the stillness +grander and more impressive. + +All this had been in her ears many a time before, and little heed did +she give to it now. Her musings were with that loved one, who had been +silent for so many weeks, and for whose coming she longed with an +unspeakable longing. She knew the course of the trail so well, though +she had never been far over it, that she was aware at what point he +must first appear, if he ever appeared, and upon that point she +centered her attention. + +"Something tells me that when father comes it will be in the night +time," she said; "I know he has tried hard to reach me, and what +could it be that held him back? I will not believe he is dead +until--" + +Her heart gave a quicker throb, for surely that was a faint sound in +the path, though too far off for her to perceive the cause. She could +not tell its precise nature, but fancied it was the footfall of some +animal. She took several quick steps forward on tiptoe, with head +extended, peering and listening, with all her senses at the highest +tension. + +Hark! she heard it again. Surely it was the noise of hoofs, for it was +repeated and the sounds ran into each other as if the animal were +trotting or galloping, or mayhap there was more than one of them. + +Yes; some one was drawing nigh on the back of horse or mule. There was +no mistaking the hoof beats, and in the gloom the figure of an animal +and his rider assumed vague form, growing more distinct each moment. +Nellie broke into a run, her arms outstretched and her hair flying. + +"Father! father! I know it is you! It is I--Nellie, your own Nellie, +who has waited so long for you! You have come at last!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOME AGAIN + + +The horseman coming up the trail had assumed definite form. Checking +his animal he sat transfixed until the flying girl was beside him. +Then he bent forward and in a choking voice, answered: + +"Yes, Nellie, it is your father! God be thanked for permitting me to +come to you again. And you are Nellie! But how grown!" + +Captain Dawson leaned over the side of his horse and, passing his +strong arm around the waist of his daughter, lifted her up in front of +him. Then he pressed his lips to hers, and half-laughing and +half-crying asked: + +"Who's the happier, you or I?" + +"You can't be any happier than I; but, father," she added in +amazement, "where is your other arm?" + +"Buried in Southern Virginia as a memento of my work for the Union, +but, my dear child, _I_ am here; isn't _that_ enough?" + +"Yes, bless your heart!" she exclaimed, nestling up to him; "it all +seems like a dream, but it _isn't_, for I can feel you. I am so +sorry," she added, noticing the sleeve pinned to his breast; "how you +must have suffered." + +"Nonsense! it isn't anything to lose an arm; it's not half so bad as +having your head blown off or both legs carried away. After going +nearly through the war without a scratch, I caught it just before +Appomattox, but thousands were less fortunate and I am thankful." + +"But why did you not write to me and tell me all this? Mr. Brush was +sure you were dead, and I know the rest thought so, too, though they +didn't talk that way." + +"I did have a close call; I got the fever while in the hospital and +didn't know so much as my own name for several weeks. Then, when well +enough to write, I concluded to come myself, believing I could keep up +with any letter and you would be gladder to see me than to receive +anything I might send." + +While these words were passing the steed remained motionless, but +Nellie had observed from the first that her parent had a companion. + +"Father," she whispered, "you have some one with you." + +"Yes, my child, I had forgotten it in my delight at meeting you." + +A horseman was sitting as motionless as a statue in the trail behind +them, the form of himself and animal clearly outlined in the +obscurity. He had not spoken nor stirred since the coming of the girl. +The head of the steed was high, but beyond and above it loomed the +head and shoulders of the man sitting upright, like an officer of +dragoons. The gloom prevented a fair view of his countenance, but +Nellie fancied he was of pleasing appearance and wore a mustache. + +Captain Dawson turned his head and looked over his shoulder, as if to +locate the man. + +"That is Lieutenant Russell; he served under me during the latter +part of the war; he is my friend, Nellie, for he saved my life. +Lieutenant," added the captain, elevating his voice, "this is my +daughter Nellie of whom you heard me speak so often." + +The young officer lifted his cap, the graceful gesture being plainly +seen and replied with a pleasant laugh. + +"Miss Dawson, I am glad to become acquainted with you and hope I shall +soon be favored with a better view." + +"And I hope to see more of the one that was the means of saving my +dear father," she was quick to reply. + +"Well, I guess that was equal on both sides, for I should never have +reached this place but for him." + +"Father, what is _that_?" abruptly asked Nellie, shrinking closer to +him; "have you a bear following you?" + +That which caused the startled question was a huge animal, which came +slowly forward from the gloom in which he had been enveloped. The +horses showed no fear of him, and he sniffed at the skirts of the +girl. + +"Don't be alarmed," replied her father; "you may consider him a lion +or tiger or both combined. He is Lieutenant Russell's dog Timon, one +of the biggest, fiercest, but most intelligent and affectionate of his +kind. We three are comrades, so you must accept him, too, as your +friend." + +The two now gave rein to their horses and within briefer time than +would be supposed, every man in New Constantinople knew of the arrival +of the couple and had given them right royal welcome. It was the most +joyous incident in the history of the little mining settlement. Every +one knew of the corroding grief of Nellie Dawson, and there was not a +heart that did not go out in sympathy to her. All were gathered around +and within the crowded quarters of the Heavenly Bower, where the two +men and Nellie ate their happy evening meal. Then the pipes were +lighted, and with the girl perched upon her father's knee, the rest +listened to his story, which he summarized, leaving the particulars +for a more convenient occasion. + +"I am sorry my long silence caused misgiving," said he looking round +in the faces of his friends, "but it could not be very well helped. +You have noticed that whereas I left New Constantinople with two arms, +I am now one short. As I told Nellie, that happened in the very last +days of the war. It was quite a loss, but you have little idea of how +soon a man can become accustomed to it. The fact is," added the +soldier, with a grim smile, "things are moving so well with me that I +wouldn't give much to have the old limb back again. I have no doubt +General Howard feels the same way." + +"The pruned oak is the strongest," observed Parson Brush. + +"Provided it isn't pruned too much. With my wound came an attack of +fever, which brought me nearer death than I ever was in battle, but I +came out of it all and here we are." + +"What route did you take, captain?" asked Wade Ruggles. + +"By steamer to the Isthmus, then up the coast to San Francisco. +There the lieutenant and I joined a party to Sacramento and each +bought a good strong horse. He had brought his dog Timon all the +way from Virginia, where he was given to him by an old friend who wore +the gray. We were hopeful of meeting Vose Adams in Sacramento, but +he had not been there for weeks. Instead of him, whom should we come +across but Ike Hoe, who was also getting ready to start for this +place. We three set out nearly ten days ago, but Ike is still in the +mountains." + +This was said with so grave a face that all knew what it meant. + +"I never heard of the Indians being so troublesome. For three days and +nights it was little else than fighting. In the darkness we would +steal off and hunt for some new way through the mountains, but it +mattered not where we went, for we were sure to run against some of +them." + +"How was it that Hoe met his death?" asked the parson. + +"It was on the third night. We hadn't seen a thing of the Indians +since the noon halt and were hopeful they had given up the hunt for +us. We hadn't eaten a mouthful for twenty-four hours and were hungry +enough to chew our boots. Ike found a place among the rocks, where a +camp fire couldn't be seen for more than a few rods and started a +blaze. The lieutenant had brought down an antelope, and if we could +get a chance to cook the steak, we were sure of the right kind of a +meal. Well, we broiled enough to give each all he wanted. Ike leaned +back with a pleasant smile on his face and remarked that it was worth +all the risk to get such a feast, when I caught the flicker of +something like the dart of a small bird between him and me. Before I +could make out what it was, Ike gave a groan, and rolling over +backward, never spoke or stirred. I saw the feathered end of an arrow +sticking up above his breast. The head had gone clean through him and +it must have split his heart in two." + +"But was neither you or the lieutenant harmed?" + +"That is the remarkable part of it. The lieutenant saw the arrow +before I did and warned me. We darted back in the darkness with our +guns ready, but saw and heard nothing more of the Indians. What was +remarkable about it was that only the single arrow should have been +launched at Ike." + +"It looks as if there was but the single Injin," suggested Bidwell. + +"That is the way we interpreted it." + +"And that was the end of your troubles with the Indians?" + +"Not quite, but they bothered us only once more and then they managed +to get us into a corner, where it would have been the last of me had +it not been for the lieutenant and Timon. I tell you----" + +The captain stopped short and smiled. He had seen the protesting +expression on the face of the young officer, and said: + +"We'll keep that story till some time when he isn't present. But there +is another fact which I observed. There are more white men in the +mountains than ever before and the numbers will increase. The close of +the war has released nearly a million soldiers, who must make a living +somehow. Some will come westward. You have preserved this place as an +exclusive residence for yourselves, but you won't be able to do it +much longer." + +All saw the truth of these words, and knew trouble would inevitably +follow the mingling of uncongenial spirits, but they concluded it +would be time enough to meet it when it came, without allowing the +fear to disturb the pleasure of the present communion. Lieutenant Fred +Russell could not fail to be an individual of keen interest to those +who had never before seen him. While the captain was talking, he sat +modestly in the background, smoking his brierwood, listening as +intently as if everything said was new to him. It was noticed that +like several of the rest, he did not drink at the bar, though he +received numerous invitations. Truth to tell, he had been quite a +drinker, but during that eventful journey through the mountains, when +Captain Dawson was talking of his daughter, as he loved to do, he +named those who had reformed as the result of Nellie's influence. The +young officer made no comment, but it struck him that if those rough, +hardy men could abstain, it ought not to be difficult for him to do +the same, and he did it. + +Few men were more prepossessing than the lieutenant. He was educated, +about twenty-four years of age, and undeniably handsome. His campaigns +of exposure, hardship and fighting had hardened his frame into the +mould of the trained athlete. The faded uniform which he still wore +became him well. The ruddy cheeks had grown swarthy and browned, but +when he removed his cap, the upper part of his forehead showed as +white and fair as that of a woman. + +His nose was slightly aquiline, just enough to give character to his +countenance, the hair which was rather scant, was dark like the +mustache and the small tuft on his chin. He wore fine, high cavalry +boots, reaching above the knees, a sword and like the captain was +armed with revolver and Winchester rifle. + +Crouched at his feet was his massive dog Timon, an object of as much +interest as his master; for, curious as it may seem, he was the only +canine ever owned in New Constantinople. He was of mixed breed, huge, +powerful and swift, seeming to combine the sagacity and intelligence +of the Newfoundland, the courage of the bull dog, the persistency of +the bloodhound and the best qualities of all of them. Seeming to +understand that he was among friends, he rested his nose between his +paws and lay as if asleep, but those who gazed admiringly at him, +noted that at intervals he opened one of his eyes as if to say: + +"Strangers, I guess it is all right, but I'm taking no chances." + +Coming with the credentials that no one else ever bore, Lieutenant +Fred Russell was sure of a warm reception at New Constantinople. The +depletion of the population had left more than one cabin vacant and +the best of these was turned over to him. In it he found cooking +utensils, rough but serviceable bedding and accommodations and much +better comforts than he was accustomed to during his campaigning. +Having no immediate relatives, he had followed the discreet course of +Captain Dawson, who deposited nearly all of his accumulated pay in a +savings institution in the East, reserving only enough to insure their +arrival on the Pacific coast. + +Russell, like so many turned from consumers into producers by the end +of hostilities, was obliged to decide upon the means of earning a +livelihood. He had begun the study of law, at the time he answered the +call for volunteers, and would have had no difficulty in taking it up +again; but, somehow or other, he did not feel drawn thitherward. He +disliked the confinements of office work and the sedentary profession +itself. He wanted something more stirring, and active, and calling for +out door life. It was when he was in this mood, that Captain Dawson +urged him to accompany him to the gold diggings in the Sierras. + +"So far as I can learn," explained the captain, "the mines haven't +panned out to any great extent, but there is no doubt that there are +millions of dollars in gold in the mountains, and if it isn't at New +Constantinople, it is not far off." + +"I shall accept your invitation," replied the junior officer, "with +the understanding that if the prospect is not satisfactory, I shall +feel at liberty to go somewhere else." + +"That's the constitutional right of every American citizen." + +"I am not as far along in years as you, but I am old enough to feel +that no person ought to fritter away the most valuable years of his +life." + +And thus it was that the lieutenant went to New Constantinople and +received the heartiest welcome from every one there. And yet among +these citizens were two that had lately become partners and sharers of +the same cabin, and who were oppressed with misgiving. + +"I tell you," said the parson late at night, when he and Wade Ruggles +were smoking in their home, with no one near enough to overhear them; +"Captain Dawson has made the mistake of his life." + +"How?" + +"In bringing Lieutenant Russell to New Constantinople." + +"I don't quite foller your meaning, parson." + +"Yes, you do; you understand it as well as myself." + +"I have a suspicion of it, but are you afraid to trust me?" + +"You ought to know better than to ask that." + +"Go ahead then and give me the partic'lars." + +"In the first place then, the lieutenant is young and good looking." + +"Unfortinitly there can't be any doubt of that." + +"Nellie Dawson has never seen a handsome young man----" + +"Exceptin' you and me, and we ain't as young as we once was." + +"She is now a young woman and ready to fall in love, and just at the +right hour, or rather the very worst hour, the captain brings the man +here." + +"You have spoke the exact thoughts I had in mind all along; you're +right, parson." + +He would have been better pleased had Ruggles contradicted him. He did +not wish to believe that which he could not help believing. + +"We must treat him well because the captain brings him and he has +saved the captain's life, but, Wade, _we must watch them both +close_." + +"I agree with you agin, but what shall we do if we find him making +love to the little gal?" + +The parson's fierce reply showed how deeply his feelings were +stirred. + +"Warn him just once!" + +"I feel as bad about it as you do, but, parson, I haven't forgot that +afore the war broke out, and we was afeard the captain meant to take +the gal away to have her eddycated, you told us it was none of our +bus'ness and he had the right to do as he thought best with his own +child." + +"All that was true at the time, but the conditions have changed." + +"_Now_ I can't foller you. 'Spose the captain is agreeable?" + +"He _won't_ be!" exclaimed Brush, who in the depth of his excitement +added an exclamation which sounded perilously like profanity. But for +the parson's intense earnestness, Ruggles would have quizzed him, but +he pitied the man and at the same time was distressed himself. + +"I hope you're right, but I doubt it. We've all felt for a good while +that sooner or later, we must lose the little one. Now that she's +growed up, the captain may feel more than ever that she must be took +off to some town where all the men ain't savages, and she can see some +of her own kind." + +"If he puts it that way, we shall have to submit. He can take her +where he wills, for my position is the same as four or five years ago, +but nobody else must take her from among us." + +Ruggles's mood was now quite similar to that of his partner. + +"If I see anything wrong in the doings of that pretty faced young +officer, I'll shoot him down like a mad dog." + +"So will I." + +The two were in the ugliest temper conceivable. They continued to +smoke, but their meditations were tumultuous and revengeful. Each +breast contained a strange disturbing secret that either would have +died before confessing, but nevertheless, it was there and had taken +ineradicable root within the past days and weeks. + +Felix Brush, as the reader knows, had been the instructor of Nellie +Dawson from infancy. He was the medium through which she had gained an +excellent book education. He had held many long confidential talks +with her. She, in her trusting innocence, had told him more of her +inmost thoughts, her self communings, her dim, vague aspirations, than +she imparted to anyone else. + +And he could not but notice her wonderful budding beauty. Surely, he +thought, such a winsome creature was never born. He had begun to ask +himself in a whispered, startled way: "Why may I not possess this +mountain flower? True, I am much her senior, but I will nourish, +protect and defend her against the world, as no younger man could or +would. She believes in my goodness, far more than I deserve. I will +cultivate the affection within her of whose nature she has as yet no +comprehension. By and by, when she is a few years older, perhaps I may +claim her. More extraordinary things have happened and are happening +every day. I have but to keep her uncontaminated from the world, of +which I have told her so much, so that when she goes forth, she shall +be under my guardianship--the most sacred guardianship of all for it +shall be that of husband." + +"Aye," he added, his heart throbbing with the new, strange hope, "all +this, please heaven, shall come to pass if things go on as they are, +and no younger man with better looks crosses my path." + +And now that younger and better looking man had crossed his path. + +The knowledge seemed to rouse all the dormant resentment of his +nature, and to undo the good that the girl herself had done in the +years that were gone. He felt that if he lost her, if his cherished +dream was to be rudely dissipated, he would go to perdition. + +And somewhat similar in range and nature were the communings of Wade +Ruggles, who until this eventful evening, had cherished a hope, so +wild, so ecstatic, so strange and so soul-absorbing that he hardly +dared to admit it to himself. At times, he shrank back, terrified at +his presumption, as does the man who has striven to seize and hold +that which is unattainable and which it would be sacrilege for him to +lay hands upon. + +"I'm three months younger than the parson," he would reflect when the +more hopeful mood was upon him; "neither of us is in danger of being +hung for our good looks, but I've got the bulge on him dead sure. I +had too much in the way of whiskers to suit the little one, when I +came back from the war; she wanted to see me as I was when I left; +_why was that_?" + +After pausing for a reply, he continued: + +"So accordin' I trimmed 'em off and she says I'm better looking than +ever, and what she says in Dead Man's Gulch and New Constantinople, +goes. She meant it, too, as I could see by the sparkle of her eyes. + +"I went all through the war without swallerin' a mouthful of strong +drink, even when the doctor ordered it. I've contrived, sort of +accerdental and off hand like, to let her know them circumstances and +I've seen it pleased her immense. I've been layin' out some of my +money for clothes, too, since I got back. Vose bought me a coat in +Sacramento, blue with brass buttons. I've had a necktie that has been +laid away till the proper time comes to put it on. There are three or +four yards of silk in it and it will knock a rainbow out of sight. I +didn't want to overwhelm her too sudden like, and have been layin' +back for the right occasion. + +"It's arriv! I must knock that leftenant out, and that necktie will do +it! I'm mighty glad the parson hain't got any foolish dreams 'bout +the gal. The leftenant is the only galoot I've got to look out for, or +rather," added the miner grimly, "I'm the one he's got to beware of. +I'm in dead earnest this time." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +YOUNG LOVE'S DREAM + + +That which in the nature of things was inevitable came to pass. +Lieutenant Russell, in the same moment that his eyes rested upon +Nellie Dawson, was smitten, as hopelessly as ever ardent lover was +smitten by the lady whom he worshiped. The many things which the +father had told him about his daughter naturally excited interest in +her, but the young officer never dreamed of looking upon such +marvelous beauty as that which met his gaze in that secluded caņon of +the Sierras. It required all his self-control from drawing attention +to himself by his admiration of her. + +"I never saw such a perfect combination of face, feature and figure," +he reflected when alone. "It is an illustration of what nature can do +when left to herself. Then, too, she has a fund of knowledge that is +amazing, when all the circumstances are considered. I haven't had much +chance to converse with her, but I heard enough to know that she would +shine by virtue of her mind among the most accomplished of her +sisters, who have had every advantage that civilization can give. She +is a flower nourished on a mountain crag, exhaling all its fragrance, +untainted by a poisonous breath from the outer world. Who would have +dared to say that amid this rough, uncouth people, such loveliness +could take root and nourish? And yet it is that loveliness which has +permeated and regenerated the miners themselves. But for her these +nights would be spent in drinking, roistering, fighting and carousing. +It is her blessed influence, which unconsciously to herself has +purified the springs of life. Like the little leaven she has leavened +the whole lump." + +The passing days increased his interest in her, until very soon he +confessed to himself that he was deeply in love with Nellie Dawson. +She had become dearer to him than his own life. He could not live +without the hope of gaining and possessing her. He would remain in New +Constantinople and starve, even though a Golconda was discovered a few +miles away. He would linger, hopeful, buoyant and believing that the +dream of his existence was to be crowned with perfect fruition. + +But the sagacious lieutenant had learned to be observant and to note +the most trifling things that escape the eyes of the majority of +persons. Thus it was that the secret which Wade Ruggles and Parson +Brush believed was hidden, each from everyone except himself, became +as clear as noonday to him. He pitied them and yet he extracted a grim +amusement from the fact. + +"They are hopelessly infatuated with her; they are excessively jealous +and would rather shoot me than have me win. They are more than double +her age, and yet they can see no incongruity in hoping to win her. +They will hope on until the awakening comes. Then they will be my +deadliest enemies. I shouldn't be surprised if I receive a call and +warning from them, but neither they nor the whole world shall turn me +from the prize which is more than all the gold, mined or unmined, in +the Sierras." + +No one could have been more circumspect than the young man. He treated +Nellie Dawson with the chivalrous respect of a Crusader of the olden +time. He was always deferential, and, though he managed frequently to +meet and chat with her, yet it invariably had the appearance of being +accidental. Fortunately his feeling of comradeship for Captain Dawson +gave him a legitimate pretext for spending many evenings in his cabin, +where it was inevitable that he should be thrown into the society of +the daughter. + +Wade Ruggles and the parson noted all this with growing resentment. +When it had continued for several weeks, the two friends had a +conference over the situation. + +"I tell you, parson, it won't do to wait any longer," observed +Ruggles, puffing away at his pipe; "things is getting dangerous." + +"Do you think so?" asked his companion, who held precisely the same +opinion, but disliked to admit it. + +"There isn't a particle of doubt of it." + +"Let me see,--we agreed to give him warning didn't we?--just once." + +"Yes,--it's only fair that you should let a man know afore you hit +him, so he can brace himself for the shock, as it were." + +"Well, if we are going to do it, there is no use of waiting." + +"No use! It'll git worse every day. Let's go over to his place now." + +"It isn't likely we'll find him there; he spends nearly every evening +in the cabin of Captain Dawson." + +Neither fancied the task, and, had not their feelings been so wrought +up, they never could have been induced to undertake it, but because of +their misgivings, nothing could have dissuaded them from their +purpose. + +"When he comes to think soberly of it," added Ruggles, "he'll thank us +for giving him warning in time. If we wait much longer, it might be +too late; we couldn't scare him off the track, but now he'll show his +sense by stopping at once." + +The two passed out of the house and walked to the cabin of Lieutenant +Russell. Relieved, and yet in a certain sense dismayed, they found the +young officer at home engaged in reading. The instant he saw and +admitted them, he knew the errand on which they had come. Except for +the grave question involved, that which followed would have been a +delicious comedy. The lieutenant could not have treated a brother with +greater cordiality and never did host shine more brilliantly. He fell +to talking of war times, drew out Ruggles, interested the parson and +gave some of his own stirring experiences. They remained two hours and +went away charmed, without having once referred to Nellie Dawson. They +voted the young man a good fellow, concluded they were mistaken about +his admiring the young lady, and thought it lucky they had not made +fools of themselves. + +When they were clear of the house, Lieutenant Russell laughed +heartily. + +"Their faces gave them away; they were loaded and primed, but I drew +their charges; to-night they will vote me one of the best fellows that +ever lived; to-morrow they will begin to doubt, and by and by the +sweetest privilege they can ask will be to shoot me." + +Perhaps the most curious feature of the tragical incidents that +followed was the obtusiveness of Captain Dawson. What every one else +saw was veiled from him, until at times he almost seemed wilfully +blind. The two men had gone through many perilous experiences +together, and sometimes alone. It had been the fortune of the younger +officer to serve the elder, more than once when in imminent danger +and none could be more grateful than the captain. + +As for Nellie Dawson herself, it is unlikely that for a time she +suspected the truth in all its fulness. She knew that hers was a +peculiarly sweet enjoyment, while her deft fingers were busy with some +needlework, to listen to the reminiscences of the two. Sometimes she +started with a shock of alarm, when the father pictured in his graphic +way a situation from which it seemed no escape was open to him. +Forgetful for the moment of the fact that he was there before her, +alive and well, she fairly held her breath, until the _denouement_ +came. Not until then were her fears wholly relieved. + +And when the parent rendered such glowing tributes to the bravery of +the young officer, recalling events of so thrilling a nature that the +lieutenant never would have dared to describe them in similar terms, +how could the daughter help the kindling of admiration for the +handsome young man? How could she avoid feeling grateful, when she +knew that he had risked his life for her parent, even on their late +journey through the mountains? In truth, everything tended to fan the +flame that had already been kindled in both hearts. + +It was late one night, after the tired Nellie had withdrawn, that the +visitor made her the subject of the conversation, the approach being +so tactful, that the captain had no suspicion of its object. + +"Do you intend to spend all your life in this out of the way corner of +the world?" was the question of the lieutenant. + +"Probably I shall. Just before I went to war, I became convinced that +my duty to my daughter demanded I should move to the East, in order to +give her the education she can never receive here. However, when I +went to the war, there was no place except this where I could leave +her. When I come back, I find her a young woman, with excellent book +knowledge, thanks to Brush and the kind attention of the others. +Sometimes I think that she is so innocent and ignorant of evil, that +it will be better for her to spend the rest of her life here." + +"It is a serious matter, but neither you nor she should be content to +remain in this place for the rest of your lives." + +"Why not? Does that which she can learn elsewhere outweigh that which +she will never learn in this secluded settlement? Is not the man or +woman fortunate who never comes face to face with the ingratitude, the +treachery, the selfishness, the baseness and the sin which are the +accompaniments of civilization? In this untainted mountain air, her +nature will retain its freshness and purity; her life will be a well +spring of happiness and goodness to all with whom she comes in +contact; I shall never marry, and mean to keep her by me until in the +order of nature I am called away. That is the only boon that I ask +from heaven." + +"But may not all this be hers and yours if the flower is transplanted +from the wilderness into a more congenial soil? Has she not already +acquired that rugged strength which renders her nature secure against +evil? Is she not doubly panoplied in goodness by the training of her +infancy and girlhood?" + +"I would like to think so, but, lieutenant, I have lived a few years +longer than you. She _might_ not be safe there; I _know_ she is +here." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE THUNDERBOLT + + +Lieutenant Russell was treading on delicate ground, where the utmost +caution was necessary. He must not alarm his friend. He smoked a few +minutes in silence. + +"It is not for me to give counsel to my captain, but is it not a fact +that selfishness grows upon us with advancing years?" + +"Very likely." + +"Has it occurred to you that in concluding to pass the remainder of +your days in this mining settlement, you are thinking more of yourself +than of your child?" + +"What have I said that warrants that question?" asked the captain +sharply. + +"No higher motive than to protect a daughter from harm can inspire a +father, but if she should be allowed to close your eyes, when you come +to lie down and die, it will be hers to live: what _then_?" + +"I shall leave her comfortably provided for. My pay amounted to a +goodly sum when the war ended, and it is placed where no one else can +reap the benefit of it. Then, too, as you know we have struck +considerable paying dirt of late. The prospects are that New +Constantinople, even if a small town, will soon be a rich one." + +Lieutenant Russell groaned in spirit. Would the parent never +understand him? + +"Then you expect her to remain here, sharing in all the vicissitudes +of the place? It cannot always stand still; it will either increase, +bringing with it many bad elements, or it will cease to exist and +these people will have to go elsewhere: what then of the child whom +you have left behind you?" + +"Oh, by that time," airily replied the father; "she will be married to +some good honest fellow, like the parson, who seems to be fond of her, +as I know she is of him, but I will not allow her to think of marriage +for a long while to come," he added with emphasis. + +Lieutenant Russell had heard all he wished. He had learned that the +father would not consent to the marriage of his daughter for a number +of years, and when that time came, he would select one of the shaggy, +uncouth miners for her life partner. + +"He has never thought of _me_ in that capacity, but he will have to +entertain the thought before he is much older." + +In her dreamings of the mysterious world, with its teeming multitudes +and all manner of men, Nellie Dawson was sure that none lived who +could compare with this young cavalier who had come out from that +wonderful realm into the loneliness of her mountain home, bringing +with him a sunshine, a glow, a radiance, a happiness, and a thrilling +life which she had never believed could be hers. + +She often sat with her eyes upon his countenance, when, in his chair +opposite her father, he recalled those marvelous experiences of his. +To her no man could ever possess so musical a voice, and none so +perfect features and winning ways. It was young love's dream and in +her heart the sacred flame was kindled and fanned until her whole +being was suffused and glowed with the new life. + +One of Lieutenant Russell's firsts acts of kindness to Nellie Dawson +was to present her with his massive dog Timon. She had shown great +admiration from the first for the magnificent brute, who became fond +of her. The maiden was delighted beyond measure and thanked the donor +so effusively that he was embarrassed. It is not probable, however, +that Timon himself was ever aware of the change of ownership, for it +brought no change of conditions to him. He had learned to divide his +time about equally between the home of the lieutenant and that of +Captain Dawson, while, like the young lady herself, he wandered about +the settlement at will. He was a dignified canine, who stalked +solemnly through New Constantinople, or took a turn in Dead Man's +Gulch, resenting all familiarity from every one, except from the only +two persons that had ever owned him. + +The lieutenant reflected much upon his conversation with Captain +Dawson, the impression which he had received being anything but +pleasant. "He considers himself unselfish, and yet like all such he is +selfishness itself. He has determined to spend the rest of his days in +this hole and to keep her with him. He won't allow her to marry for +years, because it might interfere with his own pleasure; then he +intends to turn her over to that lank, shaggy-faced Brush, who +pretends to be a parson. The captain never thinks of _me_ as having +any claims upon her love. To carry out his plan would be a crime. If +she objects to Brush, he will probably give her a choice from the +whole precious lot, including Ruggles, Adams, Bidwell, or Red Mike, +the reformed gambler. + +"Never once has he asked himself whether his daughter may not have a +preference in the matter, but, with the help of heaven, he shall not +carry out this outrage." + +In the solitude of his own thoughts, the lover put the question to +himself: + +"Am _I_ unselfish in my intentions?" + +Selfishness is the essence of love. We resolve to obtain the one upon +whom our affections are set, regardless of the consequences or of the +future. It is _our_ happiness which is placed in the balance and +outweighs everything else. + +"Of course," continued the young officer in his self-communing, "I +shall be the luckiest fellow in the world when I win her and she will +be a happy woman. Therefore, it is her good which I seek as much as my +own." + +How characteristic of the lover! + +"I shall not abduct her. If she tells me she does not love me; if she +refuses to forsake all for me, then I will bid her good-by and go off +and die." + +How characteristic again of the lover! + +And yet it may be repeated that Lieutenant Russell was the most +guarded and circumspect of men. He no longer argued with Captain +Dawson, for it was useless. He rather lulled his suspicion by falling +in with his views, and talked of the future of parent and daughter, as +if it were one of the least interesting subjects that could come +between them. + +On one of Vose Adams's pilgrimages to Sacramento, he returned with a +superb mettled pony, the gift of Lieutenant Russell. With this pet she +soon became a daring and accomplished horsewoman. She was an expert, +too, with the small Winchester and revolver which her father brought +with him from the East. Perched like a bird upon her own Cap, as she +named him, she often dashed for a mile down the trail, wheeling like +a flash and returning at full speed. + +"Have a care," said Parson Brush, more than once; "you ride like a +centaur and none knows better how to use firearms, but there are +Indians in these mountains and they sometimes approach nigh enough to +be seen from New Constantinople. Then, too, your father brought word +that other miners are working their way toward us. More than likely +there are bad men among them whom it is best you should not meet." + +"But none would harm _me_," was the wondering reply of the miss; "are +not all of my own race my friends?" + +"They ought to be, but alas! it is too much to expect." + +She could not believe, however, that any danger of that nature +threatened her, but she deferred to the fears of her father, +Lieutenant Russell and the parson to that extent that she generally +had a companion with her on these dashes down the trail. Sometimes it +was Brush, sometimes Ruggles or her parent, and less frequently the +young officer. Timon always galloped or trotted behind her pony, and +she could not be made to believe that his protection was not +all-sufficient. + +The winds of early autumn were moaning through the gorges and caņons +of the Sierras, bringing with them the breath of coming winter, which +was often felt with all its Arctic rigor in these depressions among +the towering peaks and ridges. The usual group was gathered in the +Heavenly Bower, though two of the most prominent citizens were absent. +They were Felix Brush and Wade Ruggles, who were seated in their +cabin, where a small fire had been kindled on the primitive hearth and +afforded the only light in the small apartment. They had eaten their +evening meal and as usual were smoking. + +As neither cared to taste the Mountain Dew, so winsome to a majority +of the miners, the two often spent their evenings thus, especially +since the shadow caused by the coming of Lieutenant Russell had fallen +across their threshold. + +"Things begin to look better than afore," remarked Ruggles, sitting +with one leg flung across the other and looking thoughtfully into the +fire. + +"Yes, I always insisted that the soil about here is auriferous and we +had only to stick to it to obtain our reward." + +Ruggles took his pipe from his mouth and looked at his partner with a +disgusted expression. + +"What are you talkin' 'bout, parson?" + +"Didn't you refer to the diggings?" he innocently asked in turn. + +"Come now, that won't do; you know my references to allusions was the +leftenant and the young lady. I say things look better as regards the +same." + +"In what way?" + +"In the only way there could be. They don't care partic'lar for each +other." + +"There is no doubt they did some time ago." + +"Of course, but I mean _now_." + +"How do you explain the change, Wade?" + +"The chap ain't a fool; he's took notice of our warnin's." + +"I wasn't aware that we had given him any." + +"Not 'zactly in words, but every time I've met him with the gal, I +give the leftenant a scowl. Once I come purty near shakin' my fist at +him; he's obsarved it all and is wise in time." + +"I think there is ground for what you say," remarked the parson, +anxious to be convinced of the hoped-for fact; "what I base my belief +on is that the leftenant doesn't accompany her on her little riding +trips as often as her father or you or I: _that_ is a sure barometer, +according to my judgment. Still I have sometimes feared from the way +she talks and acts that she thinks more of him than is right." + +"Nothing of the kind! She treats him as she does everybody else; the +leftenant is the friend of the cap and the leftenant give her the dog +that is the size of a meetin' house and the pony hardly as big as the +dog, but she doesn't think half as much of him as of you and me; how +can she?" demanded Ruggles, sitting bolt upright and spreading his +hand like a lawyer who has uttered an unanswerable argument; "hain't +she knowed us a blamed sight longer than him?" + +"You are correct; I didn't think of that." + +How eagerly we accept the argument, flimsy as it may be, which accords +with our wishes! + +"When I feel sorter ugly over my 'spicions," continued Ruggles; "I +jest reflect that we've knowed the gal ever since she was a baby and +her father tumbled down a hundred feet onto the roof of the +Heavenly Bower, with her in his arms in the middle of that howlin' +blizzard,--when I think of that I say----" + +The door of the cabin was hastily shoved inward and Captain Dawson, +his face as white as death, strode in. + +"Have you seen anything of Nellie?" he asked in a husky whisper. + +"No; what's the matter?" asked the startled miners. + +"She has gone! she has left me!" gasped the father dropping into the +only remaining chair, the picture of despair and unutterable woe. + +"Why do you think that?" asked the parson, sympathetically. + +"Lieutenant Russell has gone too! They have fled together!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +COMRADES IN SORROW + + +Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush sprang to their feet and confronted the +white-faced Captain Dawson, who stared at them and breathed fast. For +a full minute they gazed into one another's faces, dazed, motionless +and speechless. The partners stood, each with pipe in hand, the faint +smoke curling upward from the bowls, their slouched hats still on +their frowsy heads, the revolvers at their cartridge belts spanning +their waists, their trousers tucked in the tops of their boots, and +with their heavy flannel shirts serving for coats and vests. + +Captain Dawson was similarly attired. He had dashed out of his own +cabin and into that of his friends, his long locks flying, and even +the strands of his heavy beard rigidly apart, as if from the +consternation that had taken possession of his very soul. + +In those seconds of tomb-like stillness, an ember on the earthen +hearth fell apart and a twist of flame threw a yellow illumination +through the small room, grim and bare of everything suggesting +luxury. + +It was the parson who first found voice, but when he spoke the tones, +even to himself, sounded like those of another person. + +"Captain, it is possible that there is some mistake about this." + +"Would to God there might be!" + +"Let us hope there is." + +"Mistake!" he repeated in a husky, rasping voice; "can there be any +mistake about _that_?" + +He threw out his single arm as he spoke, as if he would drive his fist +through their chests. But he held a crumpled bit of paper in the face +of the parson, who silently took it from him, crinkled it apart and +turning his side so that the firelight fell on the sheet, began +reading the few words written in pencil and in the pretty delicate +hand which he knew so well. + +"Read it out loud, parson," said Ruggles, speaking for the first +time. + +Felix Brush did so in a voice of surprising evenness: + + "MY DEAREST FATHER:--I have decided to go with Lieutenant Russell. + We love each other and I have promised to become his wife. Do not + think I love you any less for that can never be. I cannot remain + here. You will hear from us soon and then I pray that you will + come to your own + + NELLIE." + +"Have you been to his shanty?" asked Ruggles, who hardly comprehended +the meaning of his own words. + +"Why would he go there?" angrily demanded the parson. + +"Mebbe the villain changed his mind." + +"But, if he had, _she_ would not be there." + +"Yes; I went to his cabin," bitterly answered Captain Dawson; "he has +not been in the place for hours; all is dark and deserted; if I found +him, I would have killed him." + +The three were laboring under fearful emotion, but with surprising +power forced themselves to seem comparatively calm. + +"Captain, tell us about it," said the parson, carefully folding the +bit of paper upon itself and shoving it into his pocket, unobserved by +the others. + +Despite his apparent calmness it took a few moments for the father to +gain sufficient self-control to speak clearly. Seated in the chair, he +looked into the embers of the fire on the hearth, compressed his lips +and breathed hard. His two friends had also seated themselves, for it +seemed to them it was easier to master their agitation thus than while +upon their feet. + +"What have I to tell, but my everlasting woe and shame? The lieutenant +and I have been working for several days by ourselves on a new lead. I +had noticed nothing unusual in his manner nor indeed in that of my +child. At lunch time to-day he complained to me of not feeling like +work, and told me not to expect him back this afternoon. I would have +returned with him, had not the indications of the new lead been so +good. And actually he invited me to do no more work until to-morrow, +though why he should have done it, when it would have spoiled their +whole scheme, is more than I can explain. + +"It was part of his plan to deceive you." + +"I don't see how it could do that, for there was no need of his +inviting me,--but let it go. It came about that I worked later than +usual, so that it was dark when I got home. I was surprised to see no +light and to find no fire or Nellie. I thought nothing of that, +however, for who would have believed it possible that there could be +anything wrong? I supposed she was with some of the folks and being +tired I sat down in my chair and fell asleep. + +"When I awoke, the room was cold, silent and as dark as a wolf's +mouth. I felt impatient and decided to give her a scolding for being +so neglectful. I groped around until I found a match, intending to +start a fire. I had just lit the lamp and set it down on the table, +when I caught sight of a folded piece of paper with my name in her +handwriting on the outside. It gave me a queer feeling and my hands +trembled when I unfolded and read it. + +"I don't clearly remember the next few minutes. The room seemed to be +spinning around, and I think I had to sit down to keep from falling, +but what saved me from collapse was my anger. I have been consumed +with indignation once or twice in my life, but was never so furious, +so uncontrollable, so utterly savage as I was after reading that note. +If I could have found Russell, I would have throttled him. It may +sound strange, but I hardly once thought of Nellie; it was _he_, the +villain, whom I yearned to get my hands on." + +"Of course," said Ruggles, "that's the way you oughter feel." + +"I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I rushed out and made +straight for his cabin, as if I would find him there. Of course that +too was empty, and then I came here. Fool that I have been!" exclaimed +the parent, leaping to his feet and striding up and down the room; +"not to see all this, but," he added pathetically, "I believed that +Nellie loved me." + +The flaming wrath of the two melted into pity for the stricken father. +Parson Brush laid his hand on his shoulder and compelled him to resume +his seat. Then he spoke with the tenderness of a woman: + +"That child _does_ love you more than she loves her own life, but she +is blinded by her infatuation for that smooth-tongued scoundrel. It is +the nature of her sex to feel and act thus; but, as I said, it does +not mean that her love for you is less--" + +"Don't talk of her love for me," fiercely interrupted the parent; "we +only judge of a person by his actions." + +"But you and I have made mistakes--" + +"Nothing like this; why did she not ask me? why did _he_ not tell me +that he wished to marry her?--that is if he does," added the father, +as if determined to make his own cup as bitter as possible. + +"He did not ask you, because he knew you would refuse; for from the +first time he entered this community, he was determined to have her." + +"How do you know that?" + +"Because Ruggles and I read him; we did what no one else did,--we +measured the man. Am I right, Wade?" + +The miner nodded his head. + +"Every word is as true as gospel; we noticed his sly looks at her, +that first night you and him entered the Heavenly Bower and she was +there. We couldn't make any mistake about it." + +"And you didn't warn me! You two are as bad as he, because you kept +the secret when you ought to have put me on my guard, so that I might +have strangled him at the first advance he made." + +Sympathy for the man prevented his listeners taking offence at +the words which, from any one else, would have brought serious +consequences. The parson said soothingly: + +"If you were not so wrought up, captain, you would not be so +unreasonable; suppose Wade and I had gone to you with the statement +that the man who, according to your own words, had saved your life but +a short time before in the mountains, was a villain, who contemplated +robbing you of your child; what would you have done?" + +"Thanked you and been on my guard." + +"You would have done nothing of the kind; you would have cursed us and +told us to mind our own business." + +"No matter what I would have done, it was your duty to tell me, +regardless of the consequences to yourselves. I might have resented +it, but my eyes would have been opened and this blow saved me." + +"Nothing could have opened your eyes, for you were blind," said the +parson, who felt that though the man was intensely agitated, he ought +to hear some plain truths; "even had you suspected there was ground +for our fears, you would have gone to Lieutenant Russell and demanded +an explanation. He would have denied it, and you would have believed +him with the result that he would have been put on his guard and would +have deceived you the more completely." + +"Likewise, as aforesaid," added Ruggles, "the villain would have come +to us and made us give our grounds for our charges. What ridic'lous +fools we would have been, when all we could answer was that we +thought he looked as if he meant to run away with your darter." + +"There may be some justice in what you say," replied the captain more +composedly; "It was I who was blind, but I can't understand it. Never +until I read that piece of paper, did I suspect the truth." + +"Howsumever, the parson and me haven't been idle; we often talked it +over and fixed on a line that we thought would work better than going +to you. We showed the leftenant that we was onto his game; I give him +a scowl now and then, as it fell convenient, that said 'Beware!' We, +that is the parson and me, made up our minds to watch close, and, at +the first sign that was dead sure, we'd fall onto him like a couple of +mountains." + +"And why didn't you?" + +"He fooled us as he did you. We was talkin' over matters the very +minute you busted into the door and was satisfied that he had larned +he was playin' with fire and had concluded to drop it. We was as big +fools as you." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +NOW + + +It was the parson who now broke in. + +"Why do we sit here, lamenting that which cannot be helped? Do you +mean to give up, captain, and let her go? Will you settle down to +toil in the diggings, giving her no further thought, while this +pretty-faced lieutenant is chuckling over the clever manner by which +he fooled you as well as us--" + +"No!" fairly shouted the roused parent; "I will follow them to the +ends of the earth! They shall not find a foot of ground that will +protect them! She has never seen me angry, but she shall now!" + +"We are with you," coolly responded Brush, "but only on one +condition." + +"What's that?" + +"That this account is to be settled with _him_ alone; you musn't speak +so much as a cross word to Nellie; she will shed many a bitter tear of +sorrow; she will drain the cup to its dregs; _he_, the cause of it +all, is to be brought to judgment. When do you wish to take up the +pursuit?" + +"Now!" + +"And we are with you." + +There was something wonderful in the way Parson Brush kept control of +himself. Externally he was as calm as when standing in front of the +adamantine blackboard, giving instruction to Nellie Dawson, while down +deep in his heart, raged a tempest such as rouses into life the +darkest passions that can nerve a man to wrong doing. Believing it +necessary to stir the father to action, he had done it by well chosen +words, that could not have been more effective. + +For weeks and months the shadow had brooded over him. Sometimes it +seemed to lift and dissolve into unsubstantiality, only to come back +more baleful than before. And the moment when he had about persuaded +himself that it was but a figment of the imagination, it had sprung +into being and crushed him. But he was now stern, remorseless, +resolute, implacable. + +It was much the same with Wade Ruggles. He strove desperately to gain +the remarkable control of his feelings, displayed by his comrade, and +partly succeeded. But there was a restless fidgeting which caused him +to move aimlessly about the room and showed itself now and then in a +slight tremulousness of the voice and hands, but his eyes wore that +steely glitter, which those at his side had noticed when the rumble +and grumble told that the battle was on. + +Captain Dawson went from one extreme to the other. Crazed, tumultuous +in his fury, and at first like a baffled tiger, he moderated his voice +and manner until his companions wondered at his self-poise. + +"They have started for Sacramento and are now well advanced over the +trail," he remarked without any evidence of excitement. + +"When do you imagine they set out?" asked Brush. + +"Probably about the middle of the afternoon; possibly earlier." + +"Then," said Ruggles, "they have a good six hours' start. They haven't +lost any time and must be fifteen or twenty miles away." + +"The trail is easy traveling for twice that distance, as I recollect +it," observed the captain; "after that it grows rougher and they will +not be able to go so fast." + +"This must have been arranged several days ago, though it is only +guesswork on our part. Of course she has taken considerable clothing +with her." + +"I did not look into her room," said the captain; "there's no use; it +is enough to know they made their preparations and started, +accompanied by that dog Timon." + +No time was wasted. They knew they would encounter cold weather, for +the autumn had fairly set in, and some portions of the trail carried +them to an elevation where it was chilly in midsummer. Each took a +thick blanket. The captain donned his military coat, with the empty +sleeve pinned to the breast, caught up his saddle and trappings, his +Winchester and revolver, and buckled the cartridge belt around his +waist. Then he was ready. Neither of the others took coat or vest. The +blanket flung around the shoulders was all that was likely to be +needed, in addition to the heavy flannel shirt worn summer and +winter. + +Thus equipped, the three stood outside the cabin, with the moon high +in the sky, a gentle wind sweeping up the caņon and loose masses of +clouds drifting in front of the orb of night. Here and there a light +twinkled from a shanty and the hum of voices sounded faintly in their +ears. Further off, at the extreme end of the settlement, stood the +Heavenly Bower, with the yellow rays streaming from its two windows. +They could picture the group gathered there, as it had gathered night +after night during the past years, full of jest and story, and with +never a thought of the tragedy that had already begun. + +"Shall we tell them?" asked Ruggles. + +"No," answered Brush; "some of them might wish to go with us." + +"And it might be well to take them," suggested Captain Dawson. + +"We are enough," was the grim response of the parson. + +Like so many phantoms, the men moved toward the further end of the +settlement. Opposite the last shanty a man assumed form in the gloom. +He had just emerged from his dwelling and stopped abruptly at sight of +the trio of shadows gliding past. + +"What's up, pards?" he called. + +"Nothing," was the curt answer of the captain, who was leading and did +not change his pace. + +"You needn't be so huffy about it," growled the other, standing still +and puffing his pipe until they vanished. + +"That was Vose Adams," remarked the captain over his shoulder; "he'll +tell the rest what he saw and it will be known to everybody in the +morning." + +The little party was carefully descending the side of the caņon, with +now and then a partial stumble, until they reached the bottom of the +broad valley where the grass grew luxuriantly nearly the whole year. +It was nutritious and succulent and afforded the best of pasturage for +the few horses and mules belonging to the miners. + +Captain Dawson and Lieutenant Russell had ridden up the trail, each +mounted on a fine steed, which had brought them from Sacramento. When +the saddles and bridles were removed, the animals were turned loose in +the rich pasturage, which extended for miles over the bottom of the +caņon. There, too, grazed the pony of Nellie Dawson, the horses of +Ruggles and Bidwell and the three mules owned by Landlord Ortigies +and Vose Adams. The latter were left to themselves, except when needed +for the periodical journeys to Sacramento. The little drove +constituted all the possessions of New Constantinople in that line. +Consequently, if any more of the miners wished to join in the pursuit, +they would have to do so on foot or on mule back,--a fact which was +likely to deter most of them. + +In the early days of the settlement, before the descent of that +terrible blizzard, fully a dozen mules and horses were grazing in the +gorge, subject to the call of their owners, who, however, did not +expect to need them, unless they decided to remove to some other site. +But one morning every hoof had vanished and was never seen again. The +prints of moccasins, here and there in the soft earth, left no doubt +of the cause of their disappearance. Perhaps this event had something +to do with the permanence of New Constantinople, since the means of a +comfortable departure with goods, chattels, tools and mining +implements went off with the animals. + +After that the miners made no further investments in quadrupeds, +except to the extent of three or four mules, needed by Vose Adams, +though he was forced to make one journey to Sacramento on foot. Thus +matters stood until the addition of the horses. There was always +danger of their being stolen, but as the weeks and months passed, +without the occurrence of anything of that nature, the matter was +forgotten. + +The three men were so familiar with the surroundings that they made +their way to the bottom of the caņon with as much readiness as if the +sun were shining. Pausing beside the narrow, winding stream, which at +that season was no more than a brook, they stood for several minutes +peering here and there in the gloom, for the animals indispensable for +a successful pursuit of the eloping ones. + +"There's no saying how long it will take to find them," remarked the +captain impatiently; "it may be they have been grazing a mile away." + +"Have you any signal which your animal understands?" + +"Yes, but it is doubtful if he will obey it." + +Captain Dawson placed his fingers between his lips and emitted a +peculiar tremulous whistle, repeating it three times with much +distinctness. Then all stood silent and listening. + +"He may be asleep. Once he was prompt to obey me, but he has been +turned loose so long that there is little likelihood of his heeding +it." + +"Try it again and a little stronger," suggested Ruggles. + +The captain repeated the call until it seemed certain the animal must +hear it, but all the same, the result was nothing. + +It was exasperating for the hounds thus to be held in leash when the +game was speeding from them, with the scent warm, but there was no +help for it. + +"We are wasting time," said Dawson; "while you two go up the gorge, I +will take the other direction; look sharp for the animals that are +probably lying down; they are cunning and will not relish being +disturbed; if you find them whistle, and I'll do the same." + +They separated, the captain following one course and his friends the +other. + +"It'll be a bad go," remarked Ruggles, "if we don't find the horses, +for we won't have any show against them on their animals." + +"Little indeed and yet it will not hold us back." + +"No, indeed!" replied Ruggles with a concentration of passion that +made the words seem to hiss between his teeth. + +Since the stream was so insignificant, Wade Ruggles leaped across and +went up the caņon on the other side, his course being parallel with +his friend's. A hundred yards further and he made a discovery. + +"Helloa, Brush, here they are!" + +The parson bounded over the brook and hurried to his side, but a +disappointment followed. The three mules having cropped their fill had +lain down for the night but the horses were not in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE PURSUERS + + +The parson expressed his disappointment in vigorous language, when, +instead of the horses, the hybrids proved to be the only animals near +them. + +"I am afraid this proves one thing," he said. + +"What is that?" + +"I have had a dread all along that the Indians would run off the +horses, but it seems to me that if they had done so, they would have +taken the mules." + +"It strikes me as more likely that the leftenant took the horses, so +as to prevent our follering him and the gal." + +"That sounds reasonable," said the parson thoughtfully; "the plan is +so simple that it must have occurred to him. The mules are too slow to +be of any use to us, and it may be as well that we shall have to go +afoot." + +"How do you figure that out?" + +"They will conclude that, if we haven't any horses, we won't follow +them; they will, therefore, take their time and travel so slow, that +we'll have the chance to swoop down on them when they are not +expecting it." + +"I s'pose there's what you call philosophy in that, but it doesn't hit +me very favorable. We'll see what the cap thinks--helloa!" + +Clearly and distinctly through the still air came the signal by which +Captain Dawson was to announce his discovery of the animals. The call +scattered all thoughts of making the journey on foot, and, wheeling +about, the two started off at a rapid pace to join their friend. At +the same moment the call sounded again, and they answered it to let it +be known they understood the situation. In a brief time they came upon +Captain Dawson impatiently awaiting them. There was no need for him to +tell them he had been successful in his search, for he was standing +beside the three horses, which were quickly saddled and bridled. A +minute later the men vaulted upon their backs and the captain said +crisply: + +"Now we are off!" + +Each seemed to be inspired by the spirit of adventure. They sat erect +in the saddles, drew in a deep inhalation of the keen night air, and +moved off with their horses on a brisk walk, which almost immediately +became a canter. For a mile, the trail through Dead Man's Gulch was +nearly as hard and even as a country highway. The width of the caņon +varied from a few rods to a quarter of a mile, with the mountain +ridges on either hand towering far up into cloudland, the tallest +peaks crowned with snow which the sun never dissolved. + +The tiny stream wound like a silvery serpent through the stretch of +green, succulent grass, narrowing gorge and obtruding rock and +boulder. Now and then the path led across the water, which was so +shallow that it only plashed about the fetlocks of the horses. Captain +Dawson, in his impetuosity, kept a few paces in front of the other +two, as if he were the leader. When the space increased too much he +reined up his animal and waited until his friends joined him. They +were grim, resolute and for most of the time had little to say to one +another, though, as may be supposed, their thoughts were of anything +but a pleasant nature. + +So long as the moon held her place near the zenith, the caņon was +suffused and flooded with its soft radiance, but the rifts of clouds +drifting before its face rendered the light at times treacherous and +uncertain. The horses had rested so long, and had had such extensive +browsing on the rich pasturage, that they were in fine condition, and +the gallop seemed more grateful to them than an ordinary walking gait. +The air was cool and the fine trail, at this portion of the journey, +made all the conditions favorable. After a time however, the ascent +and descent would appear, the ground would become rough and the best +the animals could do would be to walk. + +When Parson Brush remarked that Lieutenant Russell had proved himself +an idiot when he left these horses behind for his pursuers to use, the +captain and Ruggles agreed with him. + +"I don't understand it," said Brush; "he must have expected we would +be hot after him, within the very hour we learned of what he had done, +or can it be that he and she concluded we would say, 'Depart in +peace?' If so, the young man shall have a terrible awakening." + +"It seems to me," said Ruggles, "that it is more likely he believed +that with the start he would gain, it didn't matter whether we +follered or not, feelin' sure that he could keep out of reach and get +to Sacramento so fur ahead of us, that he needn't give us a thought." + +"I am not very familiar with the trail," remarked the captain, "for, +as you know, I have passed over it only twice; first, nearly five +years ago, when I went to the war, and a few months since when I came +back." + +"But you and Russell did not lose your way," said the parson. + +"That was because we did our traveling by day. We tried it once at +night, but came within a hair of tumbling over a precipice a thousand +feet deep. This will be easy enough, so long as we have the sun to +help us." + +"You probably know as much about the trail as Wade and I, for neither +of us has been over it often. Consequently, when we travel by night, +we shall have to go it blind, or rather shall do so after awhile, +since all is plain sailing now." + +"I ain't so sure of that," observed Ruggles doubtfully; "we must have +come a mile already and ought to have made a turn by this time." + +Captain Dawson checked his horse and peered ahead. + +"Can it be we are off the track? We have come nearer two miles than +one--ah!" + +Just then the moon emerged from the obscuring clouds and their field +of vision so broadened that they saw themselves face to face with an +impassable barrier. The caņon closed directly in front of them like an +immense gate of stone. It was impossible to advance a hundred feet +further. + +"Well, I'm blessed if this isn't a pretty situation!" exclaimed the +captain. + +"We have passed the opening, but we haven't far to return, and you +know that a bad beginning brings a good ending." + +"Humph! I would rather chance it on a good beginning." + +Ruggles was the first to wheel and strike his horse into a gallop, +which he did with the remark that he knew where the right passage was +located. His companions were almost beside him. The caņon was of that +peculiar conformation that, while it terminated directly in front, it +contained an abrupt angle between where the party had halted and the +mining settlement. At that point it was so wide that the little +stream, which might have served for a guide, was lost sight of. Had +they followed the brook, they would not have gone astray. The only +inconvenience was the slight delay, which in their restless mood tried +their spirits to the utmost. Captain Dawson muttered to himself and +urged his horse so angrily that he again placed himself in advance. +His mood was no more savage than that of his companions, but he chafed +at everything which caused delay, no matter how trifling, in the +pursuit. + +Fearing that he might go wrong, Ruggles spurred up beside him. The +distance passed was less than any one expected it to be, when Ruggles +called out: + +"Here we are!" + +The exclamation was caused by the hoofs of their horses plashing in +the water. They seemed to share the impatience of their riders; "all +we have to do now is to keep to the stream; obsarve its turn." + +Its course was almost at right angles to that which they had been +following. The animals were cantering easily, when suddenly a deeper +gloom than usual overspread the valley like a pall. This came from a +heavy bank of clouds sweeping before the moon. The steeds were drawn +down to a walk, but the obscurity was not dense enough to shut out the +chasm-like opening, where the mountains seemed to part, riven by some +terrific convulsion ages before. The enormous walls drew back the door +as if to invite them to enter and press the pursuit of the couple that +were fleeing from a just and righteous wrath. + +The width of the caņon had now dwindled to a few yards, and the stream +expanding and shallow, occupied so much of the space that the horses +were continually splashing through it, but the rise and fall of the +trail was so slight that the gallop might have continued with little +danger of mishap. + +The formation of the party was in "Indian file," with Captain Dawson +leading, Ruggles next and Brush bringing up the rear. All three +animals were walking, for the light of the moon was variable and often +faint, while the danger of a mis-step was ever present, and was likely +to bring a fatal ending of the pursuit almost before it had fairly +begun. Occasionally the gloom in the narrow gorge was so deep that +they distinguished one another's figures indistinctly, but the animals +were left mostly to themselves. They seemed to know what was expected +of them and showed no hesitation. It was impossible for them to go +wrong, for it was much the same as if crossing a bridge, with its +protecting barrier on either hand. The horse of the captain showed his +self-confidence once or twice by a faint whinney and a break from the +walk into a trot, but his rider checked him. + +"Not yet; heaven knows that I am as anxious to push on as you, but we +have already made one blunder and we can't afford another; when the +time comes that it is safe to trot you shall do so and perhaps run." + +"Hush!" called Brush from the rear; "I hear a curious sound." + +"What does it seem to be?" + +"It is impossible to tell; let's stop for a moment." + +As the three animals stood motionless, the strange noise was audible. +It was a deep, hollow roar rapidly increasing in volume and intensity, +and resembled the warning of a tornado or cyclone advancing through +the forest. The animals, as is the case at such times, were nervous +and frightened. They elevated their heads, pricked their ears, snuffed +the air and the animal of the parson trembled with terror. + +The three believed that something in the nature of a cyclone was +approaching, or it might be a cloudburst several miles away, whose +deluge had swollen the stream into a rushing torrent that would +overwhelm them where they stood, caught inextricably in a trap. + +The terrifying roar, however, was neither in front nor at the rear, +but above them,--over their heads! From the first warning to the end +was but a few seconds. The sound increased with appalling power and +every eye was instinctively turned upward. + +In the dim obscurity they saw a dark mass of rock, weighing hundreds +of tons, descending like a prodigious meteor, hurled from the heavens. +It had been loosened on the mountain crest a half mile above, and was +plunging downward with inconceivable momentum. Striking some +obstruction, it rebounded like a rubber ball against the opposite side +of the gorge, then recoiled, still diving downward, oscillating like a +pendulum from wall to wall, whirling with increasing speed until it +crashed to the bottom of the gorge with a shock so terrific that the +earth and mountain trembled. + +Landing in the stream, the water was flung like bird shot right and +left, stinging the faces of the men fifty feet distant. They sat awed +and silent until Ruggles spoke: + +"Now if that stone had hit one of us on the head it would have hurt." + +"Probably it would," replied the captain, who had difficulty in +quieting his horse; "at any rate, I hope no more of them will fall +till we are out of the way." + +"I wonder whether that could have been done on purpose," remarked the +parson. + +"No," said Ruggles; "the leftenant couldn't know anything about our +being purty near the right spot to catch it." + +"I alluded to Indians,--not to him." + +But Ruggles and the captain did not deem such a thing credible. A +whole tribe of red men could not have loosened so enormous a mass of +stone, while, if poised as delicately as it must have been, they would +have known nothing of the fact. Sometimes an immense oak, sound and +apparently as firm as any in the forest around it, suddenly plunges +downward and crashes to the earth, from no imaginable cause. So, vast +masses of rock on the mountain side which have held their places for +centuries, seem to leap from their foundations and tear their way with +resistless force into the valley below. This was probably one of those +accidental displacements, liable to occur at any hour of the day or +night, which had come so startlingly near crushing the three men to +death. + +Captain Dawson drew a match from his pocket and scraping it along his +thigh, held it to the face of his watch. + +"Just midnight and we are not more than half a dozen miles from +home." + +"And how far do you suppose _they_ are?" asked the parson. + +"Probably five times as much, if not more." + +"But they will not travel at night, and by sunrise we ought to be +considerably nearer to them than now." + +"You can't be certain about that. Lieutenant Russell knows me too +well to loiter on the road; he has a good horse and the pony of Nellie +is a tough animal; both will be urged to the utmost; for they must be +sure the pursuit will be a hard one." + +The discomforting fact in the situation was that if the fugitives, as +they may be considered, pushed their flight with vigor, there was no +reason why they should not prevent any lessening of the distance +between them and their pursuers, and since they would naturally fear +pursuit, it was to be expected that they would use all haste. The hope +was that on account of Nellie, the animals would not keep up the +flight for so many hours out of the twenty-four, as the pursuers would +maintain it. + +The trail steadily ascended and became so rough and uneven that the +horses frequently stumbled. This made their progress slow and +compelled the three men, despite themselves, to feel the prudence of +resting until daylight, but not one of them wished to do so, since the +night pursuit was the only phase of the business which brought with it +the belief that they were really lessening the distance separating +them from the two in advance. + +Eager as the couple were to get through the mountains and reach +Sacramento, where for the first time they could feel safe from their +pursuers, the young officer was too wise to incur the risk of breaking +down their horses, for such a mishap would be a most serious one +indeed, and fraught with fatal consequences. + +There was little fear of the pursuers going astray. Captain Dawson had +an extraordinary memory for places, as he repeatedly proved by +recalling some landmark that he had noticed on his previous trip. +Furthermore, the gorge was so narrow that in a certain sense, it may +be said, they were fenced in, and would have found it hard to wander +to the right or left, had they made the effort. + +After an hour of steady climbing they reached an altitude which +brought with it a sharp change of temperature. The air became so +chilly that Ruggles and Brush flung their blankets about their +shoulders and found the protection added to their comfort. The horses, +too, began to show the effects of their severe exertion. Their long +rest had rendered them somewhat "soft," though the hardening would be +rapid. After a few days' work they would not mind such exertion as +that to which they were now forced. + +When a sort of amphitheatre was reached, it was decided to draw rein +for a brief while, out of sympathy for their panting animals. + +"I thought if we failed to find our horses," remarked the parson, "we +wouldn't find it hard to keep up the pursuit on foot; I have changed +my mind." + +He looked back over the sloping trail, which speedily vanished in the +gloom and the eyes of the other two were turned in the same direction. +At the moment of doing so, the animals again became frightened, so +that, despite their fatigue, it was hard to restrain them. + +"There's something down there," remarked the captain slipping from his +saddle; "Wade, you are the nearest, can you see anything?" + +Ruggles was out of the saddle in an instant, Winchester in hand. + +"I catched sight of something," he said in an undertone; "look after +my horse, while I find out what it is." + +"Have a care," cautioned the parson; "it may be an Indian." + +"That's what I think it is," replied Ruggles, who instantly started +down the trail rifle in hand, his posture a crouching one and his +senses strung to the highest point. + +He passed from view almost on the instant, and his companions listened +with intense anxiety for what was to follow. Suddenly the sharp crack +of their friend's rifle rang out in the solemn stillness, the report +echoing again and again through the gorge, with an effect that was +startling even to such experienced men. It was the only sound that +came to them, and, while they were wondering what it meant, Ruggles +reappeared among them with the noiselessness of a shadow. + +"It was a bear," he explained; "I think he scented the animals and was +follering on the lookout for a chance at 'em." + +"Did you kill him?" + +"Don't think I did; he must have heard me comin' and was scared; he +went down the trail faster than I could; when I seen that I couldn't +catch him, I let fly without taking much aim. Maybe I hit him; +leastways, he traveled so much faster that I give it up and come +back." + +The party lingered for half an hour more, but as the horses showed no +further fear, they concluded that bruin had taken to heart the lesson +he received and would bother them no further. + +The mountains still towered on every hand. The stream had long since +disappeared among the rocks and the gorge had become narrower. +Generally it was no more than a dozen feet in width, occasionally +expanding to two or three times that extent. The moon had moved over +so far that only its faint reflection against the dark walls and +masses of rock availed the horsemen. The sky seemed to contain an +increasing number of clouds and there were indications of a storm, +which might not break for a day or two, and as likely as not would not +break at all. + +The traveling, despite its difficulty, was comparatively safe. The +trail did not lead along the sides of precipices, with a climbing +wall on one side and a continuous descent on the other, but it was +solid and extended across from one ridge to the other. Because of this +fact the three pushed their animals hard, knowing that it would not be +long before they would have to be favored. + +"I don't know whether we are wise to keep this up as we are doing," +said the captain, "but I know there are few places where we can travel +in the darkness and I feel like making the most of them." + +"It is only a question of what the horses are able to stand," replied +Brush; "it is easy enough for us to ride, but a very different thing +for them to carry us. We must guard against their breaking down." + +"I will look out for that, but it is strange that when we were making +ready to start we forgot one important matter." + +"What was that?" + +"We did not bring a mouthful of food." + +"We shall have little trouble in shooting what game we need." + +"Perhaps not and perhaps we shall. The lieutenant and I found on our +way from Sacramento that, although game appeared to be plenty, it had +an exasperating habit of keeping out of range when we particularly +needed it. Delay will be necessary to get food, and the reports of +our guns are likely to give warning, just when it is dangerous." + +"It was a bad slip," assented the parson; "for there was plenty of +meat and bread at home; but we shall have to stop now and then to rest +our animals and to allow them to feed and we can utilize such +intervals by getting something for ourselves in the same line." + +"It isn't that, so much as the risk of apprising the two of their +danger. In addition, it will be strange if we get through the +mountains without a fight with the Indians. According to my +recollection, we shall strike a region to-morrow or on the next day, +where there will be the mischief to pay." + +Two miles more of laborious work and another halt. For the first time +Parson Brush showed excitement. + +"Do you know," he said, "that some one is following us? There may be +several, but I am sure of one at least and he is on a horse." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A CLOSE CALL + + +Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by +what we suspect is an enemy. The furtive glances to the rear show the +foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination +pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against +which it is impossible to guard. + +There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, +for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves. Moreover, all +three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man. + +It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, +and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few +rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with +himself. A few minutes later the halt was made and all eyes were +turned toward the point whence the man was approaching. He must have +noticed the stoppage, but he came straight on until he joined the +group. + +"Howdy, pards," was his greeting. + +"I thought it was you, Vose," said the captain, sharply; "what do you +mean by following us?" + +"What right have you to get in front of me? Don't I have to make a +trip to Sacramento three or four times each year?" + +"But you are not accustomed to start in the night time." + +"And I never knowed it was your custom to leave New Constantinople in +the middle of the night; leastways I never knowed you to do it +afore." + +"We have important business," added the captain brusquely, uncertain +as yet whether he ought to be displeased or angered by the intrusion +of Adams. + +"So have I." + +"What is it?" + +"Your good." + +"I don't understand you; explain yourself." + +"There ain't one of you three that knows the way through the +mountains, and if you undertook it alone, it would take you three +months to reach Sacramento." + +This was a new and striking view of the situation, but the parson +said: + +"Each of us has been over it before." + +"Sartinly, but one trip nor half a dozen ain't enough. You lost your +way the first hour in Dead Man's Gulch; if you hadn't done so, it +would have took me a blamed sight longer to find you; there are half a +dozen other places in the mountains ten times worse than the one +where you flew the track. Howsumever, if you don't want me, I'll go +back." + +And Vose Adams, as if his dignity had received a mortal hurt, began +turning his mule around. + +"Hold on," interposed Captain Dawson; "you have put things in their +true light; we are very glad to have you with us." + +"That makes it all right," was the cheery response of the good natured +Vose; "I never like to push myself where I ain't wanted, but as you +seem glad to see me, after having the thing explained, we won't say +nothing more about it. Howsumever, I may add that I obsarved you +started in such a hurry that I thought it warn't likely you fetched +any vittles with you, so I made up a lunch and brought it with me, +being as you may not always have time to spare to shoot game." + +The chilliness of Vose Adams' greeting changed to the warmest welcome. +He had shown more thoughtfulness than any of them, and his knowledge +of the perilous route through the mountains was beyond value. Indeed, +it looked as if it was to prove the deciding factor in the problem. + +"Do you know our business, Vose?" asked the captain. + +"I knowed it the minute I seen you sneaking off like shadows toward +the trail. I hurried to my cabin, got a lot of cold meat and bread +together and then hunted up Hercules, my boss mule. He isn't very +handsome, but he has a fine voice and has been through these mountains +so many times that he knows the right road as well as me. I knowed you +would travel fast and didn't expect to overhaul you afore morning, but +you went past the right turn and that give me a chance to catch up +sooner." + +"But how was it you suspected our errand?" persisted the captain. + +"How could I help it? What else could it be? I seen the miss and the +leftenant start for Sacramento, and being as you took the same course +it was plain that you was going there too, if you didn't overtake 'em +first." + +"You saw them start!" thundered the father of Nellie Dawson; "why +didn't you hurry off to me with the news?" + +"Why should I hurry off to you with the news?" coolly asked Vose +Adams; "it wasn't the first time I had seen the two ride in that +direction; sometimes she was with you, or with the parson or Ruggles, +and once or twice with me. Would you have thought there was anything +wrong if you had seen them?" + +"No, I suppose not," replied the captain, seeing the injustice of his +words; "but I have been so wrought up by what has occurred that I can +hardly think clearly. I ask your pardon for my hasty words." + +"You needn't do that, for I see how bad you feel and I'm sorry for +you." + +"When was it they left?" + +"Early this afternoon." + +"There was no one with them of course?" + +"Nobody except that big dog they call Timon; he was frolicking 'round +the horses, as if he enjoyed it as much as them." + +Every atom of news was painful, and yet the afflicted father could not +restrain himself from asking questions of no importance. + +"About what hour do you think it was when they left?" + +"It must have been near two o'clock when the leftenant fetched up his +horse and the pony belonging to the young lady. She must have been +expectin' him, for she come right out of the house, without keeping +him waitin' a minute. He helped her into the saddle, while they talked +and laughed as happy as could be." + +This was wormwood and gall to the parent, but he did not spare +himself. + +"Did you overhear anything said by them?" + +"I wouldn't have considered it proper to listen, even if they hadn't +been so far off I couldn't catch a word that passed atween 'em." + +"Was there anything in their actions to show they intended to take a +longer ride than usual?" + +"I don't see how there could be," replied the puzzled Adams, while +Parson Brush, understanding what the distraught captain meant, +explained: + +"Was there anything in their appearance which suggested that they +meant to take anything more than an ordinary gallop?" + +"I didn't think of it at the time, but I can see now there was. Each +of them had what seemed to be extra clothing and perhaps they had +food, though I couldn't make sure of that. You know there has been +something in the sky that looked like a coming storm, and I thought it +was on that account that the clothing was took along. Then, as the +leftenant had knocked off work, it might be he was not feeling very +well." + +"The scoundrel made that very excuse for leaving me," bitterly +commented Captain Dawson, "but he wouldn't have taken the clothing as +part of the same design for there was no need of anything of the kind. +They laid their plans carefully and everything joined to make it as +easy as possible." + +"Your thoughts were precisely what ours would have been," said the +parson, drawn toward the messenger unjustly accused by the captain in +the tumult of his grief;" if we had seen the two start, we should have +believed it was for one of the usual gallops which the young lady is +so fond of taking; but, Vose, if we would have certainly gone astray +in the mountains, without your guidance, how will it be with them, +when she has never been over the trail and he has ridden over it but +once?" + +"They are sure to have a tough time of it which will make it all the +harder for us." + +"How is that?" + +"Some good luck may lead them right; more than likely, howsumever, +they'll get all wrong; therefore, if we stick to the path we may pass +'em a half dozen times. You see it's the blamed onsartinty of the +whole bus'ness." + +"I would not question your wisdom on such matters, Vose, but when I +remember that each of them is riding a horse, and that the two must +leave traces behind them, I cannot apprehend that we shall go very far +astray in our pursuit. The most likely trouble as it seems to me is +that they will travel so fast that it will be almost impossible to +overtake them." + +"If they can manage to keep to the trail, it is going to be hard work +to come up with them. You haven't forgot that when I'm pushing through +the mountains I sometimes have to hunt a new trail altogether." + +"That is due to the trouble with Indians?" + +"Precisely; sometimes it's a long, roundabout course that I have to +take, which may keep me off the main course for a couple of days, or +it may be for only a part of the day, but Injins is something that +you must count on every time." + +"And they are as likely to meet them as we?" + +"More so, 'cause they're just ahead of you. Oh, it was the biggest +piece of tomfoolery ever heard of for them to start on such a journey, +but what are you to expect of two young persons dead in love with each +other?" + +This was not the kind of talk that was pleasing to the father, and he +became morosely silent. It was equally repugnant to Ruggles and the +parson to hear Nellie Dawson referred to as being in love with the +execrated officer. Ruggles was grim and mute, and the parson deftly +drew the conversation in another direction. + +"I would like to ask you, Vose, how it was that Lieutenant Russell did +not take the other horses with him, so as to make it impossible for +anything in the nature of pursuit?" + +"There might be two reasons; he may have thought it would be mean to +hit you below the belt like that; he was too honorable--" + +"It warn't anything like _that_," fiercely interrupted Ruggles. + +"Then it must have been that if he had took all the animals with him, +even though they was a considerable way down the gulch, the thing +would have been noticed by others, who would have wanted to know what +it meant." + +"No doubt you have struck the right reason. Had the start been in the +night time, he would have made sure that not even the mules were left +for us. But, Vose," added the parson gravely, "we would be much better +pleased if when you referred to the lieutenant, you said nothing about +'honor.'" + +"Oh, I am as much down on him as any of you," airily responded Vose; +"and, if I git the chance to draw bead on him, I'll do it quicker'n +lightning. Fact is, the hope of having that same heavenly privilege +was as strong a rope in pulling me up the trail after you as was the +wish to keep you folks from gettin' lost. But, pards, Hercules is +rested and I guess likely your animals are the same, so let's be +moving." + +Although Captain Dawson had been silent during the last few minutes, +he did not allow a word to escape him. He knew Vose Adams was +talkative at times, due perhaps to his enjoyment of company, after +being forced to spend weeks without exchanging a word with any one of +his kind, but there was no overestimating his value, because of his +knowledge of the long, dangerous route through the mountains. When, +therefore, the party were about to move on, the captain said: + +"Vose, from this time forward you are the guide; the place for you is +at the head; you will oblige me by taking the lead." + +Vose accepted the post of honor, which was also the one of peril, for +it is the man in his position whose life hangs in the balance when +Indians are concerned. But there was no hesitancy on his part, though +he was well aware of the additional risks he incurred. + +"There's one good thing I can tell you," he said, just before they +started. + +They looked inquiringly at him and he explained: + +"The hardest part of the climbing is over,--that is for the time," he +hastened to add, seeing that he was not understood; "you'll have +plenty more of it before we see Sacramento, but I mean that we have +struck the highest part of the trail, and it will be a good while +before there's any more climbing to do." + +"That is good news," said Ruggles heartily, "for it has been mighty +tough on the animals; I 'spose too, the trail is smoother." + +Adams laughed. + +"I am sorry to say it's rougher." + +Ruggles muttered impatiently, but the four took up the task, Adams in +the lead, with the rest stringing after him in Indian file. The +declaration of Vose was verified sooner than was expected. While the +mule was so sure-footed that he seemed to meet with no difficulty, it +was excessively trying to the horses, who stumbled and recovered +themselves so often that Captain Dawson began to fear one or more of +them would go lame. Still in his anxiety to get forward, he repressed +his fears, hoping that there would be some improvement and cheering +himself with the belief that since all had gone well for so long, it +would continue on the same line. + + * * * * * + +Once, however, his horse made such an abrupt stumble that the captain +narrowly saved himself from being unseated. On the impulse of the +moment he called to Adams in advance: + +"Vose, I am afraid this won't do!" + +The leader did not look around and acted as if he had not heard him. + +"I say, Vose, isn't it better that we should wait till our horses can +see the way?" + +Since the leader took no notice of this demand, the captain concluded +his fears were groundless and said no more. + +"If he thinks it safe for us to keep on, I shall not oppose." + +But Captain Dawson might have opposed, had he known the truth, for, +strange as it may seem, Vose Adams did not hear the words addressed to +him, because he was asleep on the back of his mule Hercules, as he had +been many a time while riding over the lonely trail. In truth, there +was some foundation for his declaration that he could sleep more +soundly on the back of his animal than while wrapped up in his blanket +in some fissure among the rocks. Fortunately for him, however, these +naps were of short duration, and, while indulging in them, he relied +upon his animal, which had acquired a wonderful quickness in detecting +danger. The slightest lagging in his gait, a halt, a turning to one +side or a whinny was sufficient to bring back on the instant the +wandering senses of the rider. In the present instance his slumber was +not interrupted until Hercules, seeing exactly where he was, dropped +his walk to a lagging gait. + +On the very second Vose Adams opened his eyes. So naturally that no +one suspected anything, he checked his animal and looked around. + +"Pards, we've reached a ticklish spot, and it's for you to say whether +we shall wait for daylight afore trying it." + +"What is its nature?" asked the captain, as he and the two behind him +also reined up their animals. + +"The trail winds through these peaks in front, and instead of being +like that we've been riding over all along, keeps close to the side of +the mountain. On the right is the solid rock, and on the left it +slopes down for I don't know how many hundred feet, afore it strikes +bottom. Once started down that slide, you'll never stop till you hit +the rocks below like that mass of stone that tumbled over in front of +you." + +"How wide is the path?" asked the parson. + +"There's more than a mile where it isn't wide enough for two of us to +ride abreast, and there are plenty of places where a horse has got to +step mighty careful to save himself. Hercules knows how to do it, for +he larned long ago, but I have my doubts about your hosses." + +"It might have been better after all if we had brought the mules," +said the captain. + +"Not a bit of it, for Hercules is the only one that knows how to git +over such places." + +"How do the others manage it?" + +"They've never tried it in the night time; that's what I'm talking +'bout." + +Adams's description enabled the others to recall the place. It was all +that had been pictured and they might well pause before assuming the +fearful risk. One reason for wishing to press forward was the +knowledge that at the termination of the dangerous stretch, the trail +was so smooth and even that for a long distance it would be easy to +keep their animals at a gallop, while still further the peril appeared +again. + +Captain Dawson once more struck a match and looked at his watch. + +"Half-past three; in two hours it will begin to grow light; if no +accident happens we shall be at the end of the ugly piece of ground by +that time, where the traveling is good. It is a pity to lose the +opportunity, but I will leave it to you, parson and Ruggles; what do +you say?" + +"Our horses have been pushed pretty hard, but they are in good +condition. I hate to remain idle." + +"Then you favor going ahead?" + +"I do." + +"And you, Ruggles?" + +"I feel the same way." + +"That settles it; lead on, Vose." + +"I'm just as well suited, but keep your wits about you," was the +warning of the leader, whose mule instantly responded, stretching his +neck forward and downward and occasionally snuffing the ground, as if +he depended on his sense of smell more than that of hearing. + +The task was a nerve-wrenching one, and more than once each of the +three regretted their haste in not waiting for daylight; but, having +started, there was no turning back. To attempt to wheel about, in +order to retrace their steps, was more perilous than to push on, while +to stand still was hardly less dangerous. + +The moonlight gave such slight help that the four depended almost +wholly upon the instinct of their animals. Hercules never faltered, +but advanced with the slow, plodding, undeviating certainty of those +of his kind who thread their way through the treacherous passes of the +Alps. Once his hind hoof struck a stone which went bounding down the +precipice on his left, until at the end of what seemed several +minutes, it lay still at the bottom. Neither animal nor rider showed +the least fear, for in truth both were accustomed to little slips like +that. + +"I'm blessed if this isn't the most ticklish business that I ever +attempted," muttered Captain Dawson; "I never had anything like it in +the army; it reminds me of scouting between the lines, when you expect +every second a bullet from a sharpshooter--" + +At that instant his horse stepped on a round, loose stone which turned +so quickly that before he could recover himself the hoof followed the +stone over the edge of the precipice. The horse snorted and struggled +desperately, and the brave rider felt an electric shock thrill through +him from head to foot, for there was one moment when he believed +nothing could save them from the most frightful of deaths. + +The left hind leg had gone over the rocky shelf, which at that point +was very narrow, and the hoof was furiously beating vacancy in the +despairing effort to find something upon which to rest itself. His +body sagged downward and the rider held his breath. + +"Steady, my boy!" he called, and with rare presence of mind allowed +the rein to lie free so as not to disconcert the steed. + +The tremendous struggle of the intelligent animal prevailed and with a +snort he recovered his balance and all four feet stood upon firm +support. + +"That was a close call," observed the parson, whose heart was in his +mouth, while the brief fight for life was going on. + +"It was so close that it couldn't have been any closer," coolly +commented the captain, fully himself again. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A COLLISION + + +At this moment, the cheery voice of Adams called: + +"There's only about a hundred yards more of this, but we've now struck +the worst part of the whole trail." + +"If it is any worse than what we have just passed, it won't do to try +it," replied Captain Dawson, with the memory of his recent thrilling +experience still vivid with him. + +"We can do it, but we must foller a different plan." + +"What is that?" + +"We must lead our animals. There are plenty of places where you can +get off your horses with more comfort, but we can't stand here doing +nothing. Get to the ground the best way you know how." + +It was clear that the advice of the guide would have to be followed, +and all four set about the task with the cool daring shown from the +first. Since each man was to lead his animal, it was necessary to +dismount in front, instead of slipping over the tail, as would have +been easier. The beasts showed striking sagacity in this delicate +task. The trail was so narrow that to dismount to the left, on the +side of the dizzying precipice, made it impossible for a man to keep +his poise, while to descend on the right, directly beside the body of +the animal was almost certain to crowd him over into the gorge. Each, +therefore, lowered himself with infinite care over the right shoulder +of his steed, so well forward, that the horse by turning his head to +the left afforded just enough room for the trick to be done. Every one +dismounted in safety, each drawing a breath of relief when the +exquisitely delicate task was accomplished. + +Looking around in the gloom, Vose Adams saw that his friends stood on +the ground. + +"Are you all ready?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Brush from the rear. + +"Hold the bridle so gentle that you can let go if your animal slips +off: if he has to go over the precipice, there's no need of your +follering him." + +Each man took his Winchester in hand, and loosely grasping the bridle +rein, began stealing forward, the captain's loss compelling him to +make his single arm answer for both purposes. The advance was +necessarily slow, for it was made with the utmost care. The path could +not have been more dangerous than for the brief stretch between them +and the broad, safe support beyond. + +Several times the trail so narrowed that each trembled through fear of +not being able to keep his balance, while it seemed absolutely +impossible for a horse to do so; but one of the strange facts +connected with that intelligent animal is that, despite his greater +bulk, he is generally able to follow wherever his master leads. So it +was that when a miner carefully turned his head, he saw his steed +following slowly but unfalteringly in his footsteps. + +It was soon perceived that this perilous stretch did not take a +straight course, but assumed the form of an immense, partial circle. +When half way around, the plodders came in sight of a huge rent in the +distant mountain wall, through which the sky showed nearly from the +zenith to the horizon. In this immense V-shaped space shone the moon +nearly at its full, and without a rift or fleck of cloud in front of +its face. + +A flood of light streamed through and between the encompassing peaks, +tinging the men and animals with its fleecy veil, as if some of the +snow from the crests had been sprinkled over them. On their left, the +craggy wall sloped almost vertically downward, the projecting masses +of rock displaying the same, fairy-like covering, ending in a vast, +yawning pit of night and blackness, into whose awful depth the human +eye could not penetrate. + +On the right, the mass of stone, rock and boulder, rugged, broken and +tumbled together, as if flung about by giants in sport, towered beyond +the vision's reach, the caverns, abysses and hollows made the blacker +and more impenetrable by the moonlight glinting against the protruding +masses. + +It was as if a party of Titans had run their chisels along the flinty +face of the mountain from the rear, gouging out the stone, with less +and less persistency, until they reached the spot where the men and +animals were creeping forward, when the dulled tools scarcely made an +impression sufficient to support the hesitating feet. + +Captain Dawson was but a few paces to the rear of Vose Adams's mule, +whose surety of step he admired and tried to imitate. + +"Training seems able to accomplish anything," reflected the captain; +"I remember how Lieutenant Russell and I stopped on the further edge +of this infernal place when we reached it one forenoon and spent +several hours trying to find a safer path. It kept us in a tremor +until we were across. Had any one told me that on the next journey I +should try it in the night, I would have believed him crazy, but," he +grimly added, "I would have thought the same, if I had been told that +a necessity like this would compel us to do so." + +The bridle rein was looped over his elbow, which extended behind him, +the same hand grasping his rifle, so that he advanced partly sideways +over the treacherous trail. He attempted to do nothing but look after +his own footsteps. Sometimes, when it was a little harder to pull the +rein, he slackened his pace. It would not do to hurry the animal, +since a slight disturbance might cause him to loose his footing. The +horse knew what was required of him and would do it better by being +left wholly to himself. + +It was because of this concentration of his mind upon the one thing +that the captain failed to perceive that the mule in his front had +stopped walking, until the rim of his slouched hat touched the tail of +the motionless animal. + +"Helloa, Vose, what's the matter?" + +The guide said something, but kept his face turned away, and his +words, instead of being in the nature of an answer, were addressed to +some one who confronted him. Adams was of slight stature, so that, +although he stood erect, it was easy for the captain to look over his +head and see what was beyond. That which was thus revealed was another +horseman leading his animal and coming toward them. He was advancing +in the same manner as the miners, that is by leading his horse, and, +meeting our friends thus face to face, it was impossible for either +party to pass: one or the other must give way and retreat. + +A startling feature of this meeting was that the individual who thus +confronted them was an Indian of gigantic stature. He was more than +six feet in height and of massive proportions. He belonged to what +were known as the "mountain Indians," who were brave and of +irrestrainable ferocity. They were the most dangerous people met by +the miners in the early days on the Pacific slope. + +Equity demanded that this particular specimen should back his horse +over the few yards to the point where the trail broadened, for the +task was possible of accomplishment, while the white men were unable +to force their animals in safety for one-half of the distance behind +them. Moreover, it was evident that this Indian had deliberately +started over the trail, with the knowledge of the four white men +approaching, so that a meeting was inevitable. He courted an encounter +with them and was in a murderous mood. + +Vose Adams knew all this and recognized the warrior as one of the +dreaded Indians, with whom he was better acquainted than were his +friends. He had had several scrimmages with them on his trips through +the mountains, and held them in such wholesome fear that he contrived +to avoid a direct conflict. The diminutive miner overflowed with +pluck, but in a hand to hand encounter, must be only a child in the +grasp of the aboriginal giant. The present situation, however, was +peculiar. + +There can be no doubt that this savage sought the meeting with the +party, for on no other supposition can his acts be explained. He must +have reasoned that on the narrow ledge his enemies would have to meet +him one by one and engage him single handed. He was like a chamois +that had lived all its life in these wild solitudes and was +surer-footed than any white man. What a triumph it would be (and was +it unreasonable to expect it?) for him to slay the insignificant pale +face immediately in his front, shove his mule over the precipice, and +then serve the remaining three in same fashion! + +"Get out of this!" were the words which Vose Adams addressed to the +Indian, directly after the question of Captain Dawson to himself, and +when the enemies were within six feet of each other; "there isn't room +for both of us; you knew that before you started; one of us has got to +give way and I'll be hanged if I do!" + +Inasmuch as the red man did not understand a word of English, it is +not to be supposed that he grasped the whole meaning of this command, +but the situation must have made it evident that he had been ordered +to back his horse and to open a way for the white men, and inasmuch as +he had come upon the trail for the express purpose of bringing about +this encounter, it seems hardly necessary to say that he failed to +obey the order. Instead, he repeated some words in his own language, +which it is not unlikely were of the same import as those addressed +to him, for he resolutely maintained his place. + +"I tell you," added Vose, raising his voice, as if that could help +make his meaning clear; "if you don't do as I say, somebody is going +to get hurt!" + +The warrior, who was carrying a rifle, stooped and gently let it fall +beside him. At the same moment he let go of the thong which served as +a bridle. Thus both hands were free and he crouched down with his +hideous face thrust forward and took a slow, half-step toward Adams. + +The coarse black hair dangling loosely about his shoulders, the broad +frightful countenance, which, however, was devoid of paint, the +glittering, basilisk-like eyes, the sinewy half-bent finger, with the +right fingers closed like a vise around the handle of the knife at his +waist, while gently drawing it forth, the catlike advance,--all these +made him so terrible an enemy that the bravest man might well doubt +the result of a meeting with him. + +And yet the closest scrutiny of Vose Adams would not have discovered +any tremor in his frame, or so much as a blanching of his face. He +fully comprehended the nature of the peril that impended, but with the +cool readiness of a veteran, he had fixed upon his line of action, in +the same moment that he read the purpose of his formidable enemy. + +The preliminary actions of the guide were similar to that of the +warrior. The bridle rein dropped from his hand, and, slightly +stooping, he let his Winchester fall to the ground beside him. Then +his knife flashed out and he was ready. + +Since only the mule was between Captain Dawson and the combatants, he +observed all this and interpreted its meaning. + +"Vose, what do you mean to do?" he sharply asked. + +"Have a little dispute with the fellow," replied Adams, without +removing his gaze from the face of the savage. + +"You mustn't do it." + +"It sorter looks as if it can't be helped, captain." + +"I shall prevent it." + +"How?" + +"Thus!" + +The captain had laid down his rifle and drawn his revolver, in the use +of which he was an expert. While thus engaged, he stooped down, so +that the interposing body of the mule, prevented the Indian from +observing what he was doing. When his weapon was ready and just as he +uttered his last word, he straightened up like a flash. Adams being of +short stature and in a stooping posture, gave him just the chance he +needed. His single arm was extended with the quickness of lightning +and he fired. The bullet bored its way through the bronzed skull of +the Indian, who, with an ear-splitting screech, flung his arms aloft, +leaped several feet from the ground, toppled sideways over the edge of +the trail and went tumbling, rolling and doubling down the precipice +far beyond sight, into the almost fathomless abyss below. + +"That's what I call a low down trick!" was the disgusted exclamation +of Adams, looking round with a reproachful expression. + +"Do you refer to the Indian?" asked the captain. + +"No; to you; I had just got ready for him and had everything fixed +when you interfered." + +"Vose, you are a fool," was the comment of his friend. + +"And why?" + +"That fellow was twice as big as you and you hadn't an earthly chance +in a fight with him." + +"Do you 'spose that is the first time I ever met a mountain Injin?" + +"You never fought one of that size in this spot." + +"What difference does the spot make?" + +"I want you to understand," said the captain with assumed gravity, +"that I didn't interfere out of any regard for you." + +"What the mischief are you driving at?" demanded the puzzled guide. + +"Under ordinary circumstances, I would have stood by and watched the +flurry, only wishing that the best man might win. That means, of +course, that you would have been the loser. But we need some one to +guide us through the mountains; you haven't done it yet; when your +work is over you may go and live on wild Indians for all I care." + +Vose quickly regained his good nature. He returned his knife to its +resting place, picked up his rifle, grasped the bridle rein and gently +pulled. + +"Come, Hercules; I don't know whether they appreciate us or not; +steady now!" + +"What are you going to do with that horse in front of you?" asked the +captain. + +"Hang it! if I didn't forget about him; back with you!" he commanded +with a gesture, moving toward the animal, who showed the intelligence +of his kind, by retrograding carefully until he reached the broad safe +place so anxiously sought by the others. There he wheeled and trotted +off, speedily disappearing from sight. + +"Vose, you might have traded Hercules for him." + +"Not much! I wouldn't give that mule for a drove of horses that have +belonged to these mountain Injins." + +"What's the matter with them? Aren't they as good as ours?" + +"They're too good; you can't tell what trick they'll sarve you; I was +once riding through these very mountains, on the back of a horse that +I picked up--it isn't necessary to say how--when his owner gave a +signal and the critter was off like a thunderbolt. If I hadn't slipped +from his back at the risk of breaking my neck, he would have carried +me right into a camp of hostiles and you would have been without your +invaluable guide on this trip." + +"That is important information--if true--helloa! it is growing light +off there in the east!" + +"Yes,--day is breaking," added Vose. + +The captain looked at his watch and found the time considerably past +five o'clock. They had been longer on the road than any one supposed, +and the coming of morning was a vast relief to all. + +The party were now grouped together, for the trail was broad and safe. +Parson Brush asked, as he pointed almost directly ahead: + +"Isn't that a light off yonder?" + +The guide gazed in that direction and replied: + +"Yes, but it comes from a camp fire, which isn't more than a half mile +away." + +The men looked in one another's faces and the captain asked in a +guarded voice, as if afraid of being overheard: + +"Whose fire is it?" + +"There's no saying with any sartinty, till we get closer, but I +shouldn't be 'sprised if it belong to the folks you're looking for." + +The same thought had come to each. There was a compression of lips, a +flashing of eyes and an expression of resolution that boded ill for +him who was the cause of it all. + +In the early morning at this elevation, the air was raw and chilling. +The wind which blew fitfully brought an icy touch from the peaks of +the snow-clad Sierras. The party had ridden nearly all night, with +only comparatively slight pauses, so that the men would have welcomed +a good long rest but for the startling discovery just made. + +Over the eastern cliffs the sky was rapidly assuming a rosy tinge. Day +was breaking and soon the wild region would be flooded with sunshine. +Already the gigantic masses of stone and rock were assuming grotesque +form in the receding gloom. The dismal night was at an end. + +The twinkling light which had caught the eye of Felix Brush appeared +to be directly ahead and near the trail which they were traveling. +This fact strengthened the belief that the fire had been kindled by +the fugitives. The illumination paled as the sun climbed the sky, +until it was absorbed by the overwhelming radiance that was +everywhere. + +The pursuers felt well rewarded for the energy they had displayed in +the face of discouragement and danger. Valuable ground had been +gained, and even now when they had supposed they were fully a dozen +miles behind the fugitives, it looked as if they had really caught up +to them, or at least were within hailing distance. + +Every eye was fixed on the point which held so intense an interest for +them. As the day grew, a thin, wavy column of smoke was observed +ascending from the camp fire, which was partly hidden among a growth +of scrub cedars, some distance to the right of the trail, whither it +must have been difficult for the couple to force their horses. + +"That leftenant ought to have knowed better than to do that," remarked +Vose Adams, "his fire can be seen a long way off." + +"What else could they do?" asked the captain. + +"The rocks give all the cover he needs." + +"But they could have no idea that we were so near," suggested the +parson. + +"It isn't that, but the leftenant had 'nough 'sperience with Injins on +his way through here before to know he's liable to run agin them at +any time. I never dared to do a thing like that on my trips." + +"Let's push on," said the captain, who saw no reason for tarrying now +that they had located the game. + +The ground was so much more favorable that the animals were forced to +a canter, though all were in need of rest. Little was said, and +Captain Dawson spurred forward beside Adams, who as usual was +leading. + +Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush also rode abreast. They were far enough +to the rear to exchange a few words without being overheard. + +"From the way things look," said Brush; "we shall have to leave +everything with the captain and he isn't likely to give us anything to +do." + +"He's mad clean through; I don't b'leve he'll wait to say a word, but +the minute he can draw bead on the leftenant, he'll let fly." + +"He is a fine marksman, but he may be in such a hurry that he'll +miss." + +"No fear of that; I wonder," added Ruggles, startled by a new thought, +"whether Vose has any idee of stickin' in his oar." + +"Likely enough." + +"I must git a chance to warn him that we won't stand any nonsense like +that! The best that we'll do is to promise him a chance for a crack +after you and me miss." + +"That won't be any chance at all," grimly remarked the parson. + +"Wal, it's all he'll have and he mustn't forgit it. There's some +things I won't stand and that's one of 'em." + +"We can't do anything now, but we may have a chance to notify him. If +the opportunity comes to me, he shall not remain ignorant." + +They were now nearly opposite the camp and the two noticed with +surprise that Adams and the captain were riding past it. + +"What's that fur?" asked the puzzled Ruggles. + +"That's to prevent them from fleeing toward Sacramento. When they find +we are on the other side, they will have to turn back." + +This was apparently the purpose of the men in advance, for they did +not draw rein until a hundred yards beyond the camp. Suddenly the two +halted, and half-facing around, waited until Brush and Ruggles joined +them. The explanation of the guide showed that his plan had been +rightly interpreted by Parson Brush. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE CAMP FIRE + + +The trail, as has been stated, was broad and comparatively level. The +slope of the mountain to the right was so moderate that it could be +climbed by a horse almost as readily as by a man. Its face was covered +with a growth of cedars, continuing half way to the summit, when it +terminated, only bleak masses of rock, sprinkled with snow, whose +volume increased with the elevation, being visible above and beyond. + +When the four pursuers came together, their faces showed that they +comprehended the serious business before them. It was seen that +Captain Dawson was slightly pale, but those who had been with him in +battle had observed the same peculiarity. Accompanied, as it was in +this instance, by a peculiar steely glitter of his eyes, it meant that +he was in a dangerous mood and the man who crossed his path did so at +his peril. + +It was evident that he and Vose Adams had reached an understanding +during the few minutes that they were riding in advance. The words of +Vose Adams were spoken for the benefit of Ruggles and the parson. + +"You'll wait here till I take a look at things." + +"What do you mean to do?" asked Brush. + +"I'm going up the slope on foot to find out how the land lays." + +"And when you find that out, what next?" + +"He is to come back and report to me," interposed the captain. + +There was a world of meaning in these words. It showed that the +captain allowed Adams to lead only when acting as a guide. In all +other matters, the retired officer assumed control. The opportunity of +Vose to pick off the offending lieutenant promised to be better than +that of any one else, since he would first see him, but he had been +given to understand that he must immediately return and let the +captain know the situation. Adams had promised this and he knew Dawson +too well to dare to thwart him. + +Brush and Ruggles could make no objection, keen though their +disappointment was. They watched Adams, as he slipped off his mule, +not deeming it worth while to utter the warning both had had in mind. +It was the parson who said: + +"I suppose we have nothing to do except to wait here till you come +back?" + +"It looks that way, but you must ask the captain." + +"You won't be gone long?" + +"I don't think so." + +"Be careful, but there's no need of waiting," said the captain. + +The three watched the guide until he disappeared from sight among the +cedars, when the captain added: + +"Vose told me that it was possible that camp fire had been started by +Indians, but it seems to me there is little likelihood of that." + +"Why?" + +"Those people are so skilled in woodcraft that they would have been on +the alert against our approach, for a brief survey of the trail for +the last half hour would have revealed us to them." + +"It may be," suggested the parson, "that with every reason to believe +there is no danger of anything of the kind, for it must be rare that a +white man passes along this trail, they did not keep a lookout." + +The captain shook his head. + +"From what I know of the American race, it is unlike them." + +"What knowledge have we that they have not maintained such a lookout +and discovered us as soon as we noticed the camp fire itself? They may +have formed an ambuscade at some point further along the trail." + +"It is a disturbing possibility and I would be alarmed, but for my +confidence in Vose. He has been through this region so often and knows +these wild people so thoroughly that he could not commit a blunder +like that. It seems to me," added the captain a few minutes, later, +"that he is absent a long time." + +"It's tough," remarked Ruggles, "that things are fixed so we won't +have a chance to take any hand in this bus'ness." + +The captain looked inquiringly at him and he explained: + +"You and Vose have set it up atween you." + +"I have told you that if your help is needed, it will be welcome; I +can add nothing to that." + +"The captain is right," interposed the parson, "but at the same time, +he can see what a disappointment it is for us." + +"I admit that, but we are not out of the woods yet." + +Before he could make clear the meaning of this remark, Vose Adams +emerged from the cedars, and the three breathlessly awaited his +coming. He broke into a trot and quickly descended the slope to where +they stood. The expression of his face showed before he spoke that he +brought unwelcome news. + +"Confound it!" he exclaimed with a shake of his head, "they're not +there!" + +"Then they have gone on up the trail," said the captain inquiringly. + +"No; they haven't been there; it isn't their camp." + +"Whose is it?" + +"Injins; there are five of 'em; they've just had their breakfast and +are gettin' ready to make a start." + +"Didn't they see you?" + +"That isn't the way I do bus'ness," replied Vose rather loftily; "it's +more'n likely, howsumever, they seen us all awhile ago when we was +further down the trail. They're traveling eastward." + +"How can you know that?" asked the parson. + +"The Injin that took his dive off the trail 'bout the time the captain +fired off his revolver, was going that way. He b'longed to the party +and was sorter leading 'em; he was a chief or something of the kind." + +"Where are their ponies?" + +"They haven't any,--leastways he was the only one that had, which is +why I said he was some kind of a chief. We shall hear from 'em agin." + +"Why?" + +"I mean after they find out about that little row." + +"Why need they find out about it?" + +"They can't help it; they'll miss their chief; they'll run across that +horse of his and that'll give 'em the clue." + +This unexpected discovery put a new face on matters. Five mountain +Indians, the bravest and most implacable of their race, were almost +within stone's throw of the party. But for the occurrence of a brief +while before, they probably would have permitted the white men to +continue their journey unmolested, since the strength of the two +bands, all things considered, was about equal, but when the hostiles +learned of the death of their leader, they would bend every effort +toward securing revenge. They would dog the miners, watchful, alert +and tireless in their attempts to cut them off from the possibility of +ever repeating the deed. + +"But that chief, as you seem to think he was," said Captain Dawson, +"is gone as utterly as if the ground had opened and swallowed him. +They will never have the chance to officiate at his funeral, so how +are they to learn of the manner of his taking off?" + +"It won't take 'em long," replied Adams; "his pony will hunt them out, +now that he is left to himself; that'll tell 'em that something is up +and they'll start an investigatin' committee. The footprints of our +horses, the marks on the rocks, which you and me wouldn't notice, the +fact that we met the chief on that narrer ledge and that he's turned +up missing will soon lay bare the whole story, and as I remarked +aforesaid, we shall hear from 'em agin." + +"It looks like a case of the hunter hunting the tiger," said the +parson, "and then awaking to the fact that the tiger is engaged +in hunting him; it is plain to see that there's going to be a +complication of matters, but I don't feel that it need make any +difference to us." + +"It won't!" replied the captain decisively; "we haven't put our hands +to the plough with any intention of looking back. What's the next +thing to do, Vose?" + +"We've got to look after our animals." + +"But there's no grass here for them." + +"A little further and we'll strike a stream of water where we'll find +some grass, though not much, but it's better than nothing." + +Vaulting into the saddle, the guide after some pounding of his heels +against the iron ribs of Hercules, forced him into a gallop, which the +others imitated. The trail continued comparatively smooth, and, being +slightly descending, the animals were not crowded as hard as it would +seem. A mile of this brought them to the water, where they were turned +loose. The stream gushed from the mountain side, and, flowing across +the trail, was lost among the rocks to the left. The moisture thus +diffused produced a moderate growth of tough, coarse grass, which the +animals began plucking as soon as the bits were removed from their +mouths. They secured little nutriment, but as the guide remarked, it +was an improvement upon nothing. The men bathed their faces in the +cold, clear water, took a refreshing draught, and then ate the lunch +provided for them by the thoughtful Adams. Though they ate heartily, +sufficient was kept to answer for another meal or two, if it should be +thought wise to put themselves on an allowance. + +They had just lighted their pipes, when Wade Ruggles uttered an +exclamation. Without explaining the cause, he bounded to his feet and +ran several rods to the westward, where he was seen to stoop and pick +something from the ground. He examined it closely and then, as he +turned about and came back more slowly it was perceived that he held a +white handkerchief in his hand. His action caused the others to rise +to his feet. + +"What have you there?" asked Captain Dawson, suspecting its identity. + +"I guess you have seen it before," replied Wade, handing the piece of +fine, bordered linen to him. He turned it over with strange emotions, +for he was quick to recognize it. + +"Yes," he said, compressing his lips; "it is hers; she dropped it +there--how long ago, Vose?" + +The latter examined the handkerchief, as if looking for the answer to +the question in its folds, but shook his head. + +"Even a mountain Injin could not tell that." + +The parson asked the privilege of examining the article. His heart was +beating fast, though no one else was aware of it, for it was a present +which he had made to Nellie Dawson on the preceding Christmas, having +been brought by Vose Adams, with other articles, on his trip made +several months before the presentation. There was the girl's name, +written by himself in indelible ink, and in his neat, round hand. It +was a bitter reflection that it had been in her possession, when she +was in the company of the one whom she esteemed above all others. + +"It may have been," reflected the parson, carefully keeping his +thoughts to himself, "that, when she remembered from whom it came, she +flung it aside to please him. Captain," he added, "since this was once +mine, I presume you have no objection to my keeping it." + +"You are welcome to it; I don't care for it," replied the parent. + +"Thank you," and the parson carefully put it away to keep company with +the letter of Nellie Dawson which broke her father's heart; "I observe +that it is quite dry, which makes me believe it has not been exposed +to the dew, and therefore could not have lain long on the ground." + +"You can't tell anything by that," commented Vose; "the air is so dry +up here, even with the snow and water around us, that there's no dew +to amount to anything." + +All seemed to prefer not to discuss the little incident that had +produced so sombre an effect upon the party. Wade Ruggles was disposed +to claim the handkerchief, inasmuch as it was he who found it, but he +respected the feelings of the parson too much to make any protest. + +The occurrence was of no special interest to the guide. He had said +they were in danger from the Indians and he gave his thoughts to them. +While the others kept their seats on the ground, he stood erect, and, +shading his eyes with one hand, peered long and attentively over the +trail behind them. The clump of cedars from amid which the thin column +of vapor was slowly climbing into the sky and the narrow ledge which +had been the scene of their stirring adventure were in view, though +its winding course shut a portion from sight. + +"I expected it!" suddenly exclaimed Vose. + +The others followed the direction of his gaze and saw what had caused +his words. The five Indians, whom Vose had discovered in camp, were +picking their way along the ledge, with their faces turned from the +white men, who were watching them. Despite the chilly air, caused by +the elevation, not one of the warriors wore a blanket. Two had bows +and arrows, three rifles, carried in a trailing fashion, and all were +lithe, sinewy fellows, able to give a good account of themselves in +any sort of fight. + +A curious fact noted by all of our friends was that while these +warriors were thus moving away, not one of them looked behind him. +Their long black hair hung loosely about their shoulders, and in the +clear air it was observable that three wore stained feathers in the +luxuriant growth on their crowns. + +"Is it possible that they have no suspicion of us?" asked the parson; +"their action in not looking around would imply that." + +"Don't fool yourself," was the reply of Adams; "they knowed of us +afore we knowed anything of them." + +"Why did they allow us to pass their camp undisturbed?" + +"Things weren't in the right shape for 'em. There are only three guns +among 'em, though them kind of Injins are as good with the bow as the +rifle, and they made up their minds that if we let them alone, they +wouldn't bother us." + +"You said awhile ago that we should have trouble from them." + +"And so we shall; when they reasoned like I was sayin', they didn't +know anything about the little accident that happened to their chief; +it's that which will make things lively." + +"We can't see the point where that accident took place," said Captain +Dawson. + +"No; the trail curves too much, but we can foller it most of the way; +they're likely to go right on without 'specting anything, but when +they find the horse, it'll set 'em to looking round. After that, the +band will begin to play." + +While the party were watching the five Indians, the leader was seen +to pass from view around the curve in the trail, followed by the next, +until finally the fifth disappeared. All this time, not one of the +warriors looked behind him. It was a singular line of action, and +because of its singularity roused the suspicion of the spectators. + +While three of the miners resumed their seats on the boulders and +ground, Vose Adams kept his feet. Doubling each palm, so as to make a +funnel of it, he held one to either eye and continued scrutinizing the +point where he had last seen the hostiles. He suspected it was not the +last of them. Instead of imitating him, his friends studied his +wrinkled countenance. + +The air in that elevated region was wonderfully clear, but it is +hardly possible to believe the declaration which the guide made some +minutes later. He insisted that, despite the great distance, one of +the Indians, after passing from view, returned over his own trail and +peeped around the bend in the rocks, and that the guide saw his black +hair and gleaming snake-like eyes. The fact that Vose waited until the +savage had withdrawn from sight, before making the astonishing +declaration, threw some discredit on it, for it would have required a +good telescope to do what he claimed to have done with the unassisted +eye alone. + +"You see I was looking for something of the kind," he explained, "or +mebbe I wouldn't have obsarved him." + +"Could you tell the color of his eyes?" asked the doubting Ruggles. + +"They were as black as coal." + +"It is safe to say that," remarked the parson, "inasmuch as I never +met an Indian who had eyes of any other color." + +"There are such," said Vose, "and I've seen 'em, though I'll own +they're mighty scarce and I never knowed of any in this part of the +world. Howsumever, I won't purtend that I could see the color of a +man's eyes that fur, but I did see his hair, forehead and a part of +his ugly face. He knowed we was behind him all the time, and this one +wanted to find out what we was doing. When he larned that, they kept +on along the ledge, but there's no saying how fur they'll go afore +they find something's gone wrong." + +Captain Dawson showed less interest in this by-play than the others. +He was not concerned with what was behind them, so much as with what +was in front. The belief was so strong with him that their persistent +travel through the night had brought them close to the fugitives that +he begrudged the time necessary for the animals to rest and eat. + +Parson Brush felt that Adams was acting wisely in giving attention to +the rear. It would be the height of folly to disregard these +formidable warriors when they meant trouble. Brush rose to his feet +and using his palms as did the guide, scanned the country behind +them. + +He saw nothing of any warrior peering around the rocks, but he did see +something, which escaped even the keen vision of Vose Adams himself. +Beyond the ledge and a little to the left, he observed a riderless +horse, with head high in air, and gazing at something which the two +white men could not see. The parson directed the attention of Vose to +the animal. + +"By gracious! it's the chief's horse," he exclaimed; "do you see +that?" + +The other two were now looking and all plainly saw a warrior advance +into view, approaching the animal, which, instead of being frightened, +seemed to recognize his friends, and remained motionless until the +Indian came up and grasped the thong about his neck. Then the two +passed from sight. + +The identical thing prophesied by Vose Adams had occurred under the +eyes of the four pursuers. The steed of the dead chieftain had been +recovered, and it would not take the hostiles long to penetrate the +mystery of the matter. Vose was wise in taking the course he did, and +his companions were now inclined to believe his astonishing assertion +that he saw one of the number when he peeped around the curving ledge +and watched their actions. + +However, it would have been absurd to wait where they were in order to +learn every move of their enemies, for that would have been a +voluntary abandonment of the advantage secured at the cost of so much +labor and danger. Captain Dawson insisted that the pursuit should be +pressed without any thought of the red men, and Vose consented. + +"But there's one thing we mustn't forget, captain," he said, "and that +is that it is daytime and not night." + +"I do not catch your meaning," replied the captain, pausing on the +point of moving off to secure his horse. + +"It is this: them people in front will keep as sharp an eye to the +rear as to the front; more'n likely it will be sharper, and it will be +a bad thing if they discover us when we're two or three miles off." + +"How shall we prevent it?" + +"We can do it, if we're careful. You'll remember that when you went +over this route last, you come upon places where you could see for a +mile or more, 'cause the trail was straight and broad, while there are +others where you can't see more'n a hundred yards. Them that I've +named last is where we must overhaul 'em." + +"That sounds well, Vose," said the captain, "but I am unable to see +how you are going to manage so as to bring that about." + +"While you're getting the animals ready, I'll take a look ahead." + +This was not in the nature of an explanation, but the three willingly +did their part. Vose disappeared almost instantly, and, though they +took but a few minutes to prepare their animals for the resumption of +travel, he was back among them, the expression of his face showing +that he brought news of importance. + +"They ain't fur off," he said. + +"How far?" asked the captain. + +"I can't say anything more than that we're purty close to 'em. Let's +push on!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +STRANGERS + + +The signs of an approaching storm that had been noted with some +apprehension the night before, passed away. The sky revealed hardly a +cloud rift, and, when the sun had climbed the mountain crests, the +scene was grand beyond description. But for the grim errand of the +four men, holding relentlessly to the pursuit, they must have yielded +to its impressive influence. + +The trail remained so favorable for a couple of miles further, that it +was passed at the same easy, swinging gallop. Vose Adams retained his +place a few paces in advance of the others, who saw him glance sharply +to the right and left, often to the ground and occasionally to the +rear, as if to assure himself that none of his friends was going +astray. + +The moderate but continuous descent of the path took them so far +downward that the change of temperature again became noticeable. The +ground was rough and uneven and the animals dropped to a walk. +Sometimes the course led around boulders, through sparse growths of +cedar, beside brawling torrents, two of which they were compelled to +ford, where it was hard for their animals to keep their feet. + +"Last fall," remarked the guide, at the most difficult of these +passages, "I had to wait two days before I dared try to cross with +Hercules and one of the other mules." + +His companions nodded their heads but made no other answer. They were +not in the mood for talking. + +They were now making their way through a caņon similar to Dead Man's +Gulch, with rents and yawning ravines opening on the right and left, +before which the party might have halted in perplexity, had it been in +the night time. But the path showed plainly and the familiarity of the +guide prevented any mistake on his part. + +Adams had intimated that by a certain line of procedure the watchful +fugitives could be prevented from discovering the approach of the +pursuers until too late to escape them. In counting upon his ability +to do this, he overestimated his skill, for the task was clearly +impossible, and it was because of his efforts in that direction that +he made a serious blunder. He had crossed for the third time a stream +which was shallow, and, upon reaching the opposite bank, where the +ground was moist and soft, he reined up with an exclamation of +impatience. + +"What's the matter?" asked Captain Dawson, in the same mood. + +"We've passed 'em," was the reply; "they're somewhere behind us." + +"How far?" + +"That remains to be found out, but I don't think it's a great +distance." + +The captain angrily wheeled his horse and re-entered the stream. + +"If they don't get away, it won't be our fault," was his ungracious +comment; "we have done little else than throw away our chances from +the first." + +The guide made no response, and the next minute the four were +retracing their course, their animals at a walk, and all scanning the +rocks on either hand as they passed them. + +It was clear by this time that the fugitives held one important +advantage over their pursuers. The route that they were following was +so devious and so varied in its nature, that only at rare intervals +could it be traced with the eye for a quarter or half a mile. Certain +of pursuit, Lieutenant Russell and his companion would be constantly +on the lookout for it. They were more likely, therefore, to discover +the horsemen than the latter were to observe them. Even if their +flight was interrupted, there were innumerable places in this immense +solitude where they could conceal themselves for an indefinite +period. + +The question the pursuers asked themselves was whether the others had +strayed unwittingly from the trail, or whether they had turned off to +elude their pursuers, whose desperate mood they could not but know. +The latter supposition seemed the more likely, since the path was +marked so plainly that it could be lost only by unaccountable +carelessness. + +At the first break in the side of the vast mountain walls Vose Adams +again slipped from his mule and spent several minutes in studying the +ground. + +"They haven't gone in here," was his comment, as he remounted. + +"Make certain that we are not too far back," said the captain. + +"I have made no mistake," was the curt reply of the guide. The party +had gone less than twenty rods further, when another rent opened on +the other side of the caņon, which was about an eighth of a mile wide. +It would not do now to slight anything, and Adams headed his mule +diagonally across the gorge, the animal walking slowly, while the +rider leaned over with his eyes on the ground. Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"We've hit it this time! Here's where they went in!" + +All four leaped from the back of their animals. Adams pointed out the +faint indentations made by the hoofs of two horses. Less accustomed +than he to study such evidence, they failed to note that which was +plain to him; the hoof prints of one of the animals were smaller than +those of the other, since they were made by Cap, the pony belonging to +Nellie Dawson. There could no longer be any doubt that the pursuers +were warm on the trail of the fugitives. + +Such being the fact, the interest of the men naturally centered on the +avenue through which the others had made their way. + +It was one of those fissures, sometimes seen among enormous piles of +rock, that suggest that some terrific convulsion of nature, ages +before, has split the mountain in twain from top to bottom. The latter +was on a level with the main caņon itself, the chasm at the beginning +being ten or twelve yards in width, but, occurring in a depression of +the mountain spur, its height was no more than five or six hundred +feet, whereas in other localities it would have been nearly ten times +as great. The base was strewn with fragments of sandstone, some of the +pieces as large as boulders, which had probably been brought down by +the torrents that swept through the ravine in spring or when a +cloudburst descended upon the upper portion. + +Standing at the entrance, it was observed that the gorge trended +sharply to the left, so that the view was shut off at a distance of +fifty yards. It was noticeable, too, that the path taken by the +fugitives sloped upward at so abrupt an angle that it must have sorely +tried the horses. + +"I thought so," was the comment of Vose Adams, when he returned from a +brief exploration of the ravine; "they got off and led their +animals." + +"Have you any idea of the distance they went?" asked Captain Dawson, +who was in a more gracious mood, now that he appreciated the value of +the services of their guide. + +"No; I've rid in front of that opening a good many times, but this is +the first time I ever went into it." + +"Well, what is to be done?" asked Parson Brush. + +"Why, foller 'em of course," Wade Ruggles took upon himself to reply. + +"That won't do," replied Adams, "for it is likely to upset everything; +I'll leave Hercules with you and sneak up the gorge far enough to find +how the land lays. I'll come back as soon as I can, but don't get +impatient if I'm gone several hours." + +Brush and Ruggles showed their displeasure, for, while admitting the +skill of the guide, they could not see adequate cause for the +impending delay. They had made so many slips that it seemed like +inviting another. It was clear that they were close upon the +fugitives, and the two believed the true policy was to press the +pursuit without relaxing their vigor. But Captain Dawson, the one who +naturally would have been dissatisfied, was silent, thereby making it +apparent that Adams was carrying out a plan previously agreed upon by +the two. + +Vose paid no heed to Ruggles and the parson, but started up the +ravine, quickly disappearing from view. Believing a long wait +inevitable, the three prepared to pass the dismal interval as best +they could. Here and there scant patches of grass showed in the caņon, +and the animals were allowed to crop what they could of the natural +food. The men lounged upon the boulders at hand, smoked their pipes +and occasionally exchanged a few words, but none was in the mood for +talking and they formed a grim, stolid group. + +Hardly ten minutes had passed, when Ruggles, with some evidence of +excitement, exclaimed in a guarded undertone: + +"Helloa! Something's up!" + +He referred to the horses, who are often the most reliable sentinels +in the presence of insidious danger. Two of them had stopped plucking +the grass, and, with their ears pricked, were staring up the caņon at +some object that had attracted their attention and that was invisible +to their owners in their present situation. + +Convinced that something unusual had taken place, Ruggles walked out +into the caņon where he could gain a more extended view. One sweeping +glance was enough, when he hurried back to his companions. + +"Thunderation! all Sacramento's broke loose and is coming this way!" + +The three passed out from the side of the gorge to where they had a +view of the strange procession. There seemed to be about a dozen men, +mounted on mules, with as many more pack animals, coming from the west +in a straggling procession, talking loudly and apparently in exuberant +spirits. + +"I don't like their looks," said Brush; "it is best to get our +property out of their way." + +The counsel was good and was followed without a minute's delay. The +four animals were rounded up and turned into the ravine, up which Vose +Adams had disappeared. They gave no trouble, but, probably because of +the steepness of the slope, none of the four went beyond sight. Had +the three men been given warning, they would have placed them out of +reach, for none knew better than they how attractive horses are to men +beyond the power of the law. But it was too late now, and the little +party put on a bold front. + +As the strangers drew near, they were seen to be nine in number and +they formed a motley company. Their pack mules were so cumbrously +loaded as to suggest country wagons piled with hay. The wonder was how +the tough little animals could carry such enormous burdens, consisting +of blankets, picks, shovels, guns, cooking utensils, including even +some articles of furniture. + +Our older readers will recall that for years after the close of the +war, tens of thousands of the blue army overcoats were in use +throughout the country. It looked as if every man in the present +company was thus provided, including in many instances trousers of the +same material, though each person had discarded the army cap for a +soft slouch hat, similar to those worn by the miners. All the garments +were in a dilapidated condition, proving their rough usage as well as +their poor quality. Many of the heavy boots disclosed naked toes, +while the mules had not known a curry comb for weeks and perhaps +months. + +The faces of the men were anything but attractive. Most of them were +heavily bearded, with long, frowsy, unkempt hair, dangling about the +shoulders. Every one displayed side arms, and there could be no +mistake in setting them down as a reckless lot, whom a peaceable +citizen would not care to meet anywhere. + +The leader of this mongrel gang was a massive man, who bestrode so +small a mule that his feet were only a few inches from the ground. +There was little semblance of discipline in the company, but a certain +rude deference to the fellow, who kept his place at the head, and did +the loudest talking, ornamented with plenty of expletives, indicated +his prominence among his fellows. + +The mountain tramps had descried the three men standing at the side of +the caņon, watching them as they approached. They ceased their +boisterous talking and studied them as they drew near. + +"Howdy, pards?" called the leader, raising his two fingers to his +forehead and making a military salute, to which our friends responded +coolly, hoping the company would keep on without stopping. + +But they were disappointed. Colonel Briggs, as his men called him, +suddenly shouted "Whoa!" in a voice that could have been heard a mile +off, and pulled so hard on his bridle rein that he drew the jaws of +the mule against his breast, while the rider lay back almost on the +haunches of his animal, who showed his contrariness by walking round +in a short circle before standing still. + +"Which way, pards?" asked the leader, while his followers, who with +more or less effort succeeded in checking their mules, curiously +surveyed the three miners. + +"We intend to visit Sacramento," replied Captain Dawson. + +"Huh! that's where we come from." + +"On your way to the diggings I presume?" continued the captain +courteously. + +"That's what's the matter; we're going to New Constantinople, which is +the name of a mining settlement in Dead Man's Gulch. Do you know +anything of the place?" + +"We live there." + +"The deuce! Queer town, ain't it?" + +"In what respect?" + +"Don't like visitors; Red Tom and Missouri Mike, two of the gang with +me, stopped there a year or so ago with the idee of staying; the best +they could do was to sleep there one night and git fired the next +morning. That went agin the grain," continued Colonel Briggs, "and the +more the boys thought it over the madder they got. When they told the +rest of us, we made up our minds that the trouble was the diggings had +panned out so rich in them parts that the folks meant to keep 'em to +themselves. I don't call that square, so we're going down to divvy +with 'em. Big scheme, ain't it?" + +Our three friends were astounded. The addition of this gang to New +Constantinople meant nothing less than its moral ruin. It would bring +a peril from the first hour and doubtless precipitate a murderous +conflict with a doubtful issue. + +"They are a peculiar people," said Captain Dawson, repressing all +evidence of his anger; "it's a mistake to attribute their prejudice +against immigrants to the richness of the diggings, for though they +have been worked for years, they have not produced much. But they want +no strangers among them, and I know they will not allow you and your +friends to make your homes in their settlement." + +Colonel Briggs threw back his head, opened his enormous mouth and +broke into uproarious laughter, most of his companions joining him to +the extent of a broad grin. + +"Do you hear that, boys? Won't let us settle among 'em, eh? And there +are nine of us and we hain't had a scrimmage since we left Sacramento, +except with the Injins, which don't count. Stranger, we're yearning to +hear your folks say we shan't jine 'em, 'cause if they try to stop it, +it'll make things lively." + +It was not a pleasant recollection of our friends that, since their +departure from New Constantinople, the force left behind would be +hardly a match for this desperate gang of marauders, who no doubt were +as eager for trouble as they professed to be. + +"Why not make a settlement of your own?" was the conciliating question +of Parson Brush; "there's plenty of room in this country." + +"That would be too peaceable like; it don't suit us; we're looking for +trouble." + +"And you'll find it powerful quick," said Wade Ruggles, "if you try to +shove that gang of yours into New Constantinople." + +"That's music in our ears; that's what we're hungry for; we're ready +to start an opposition hotel to the Heavenly Bower, too; we've got the +stock to furnish it." + +"Wade," said the parson, "keep your temper; we can't afford to quarrel +with these men." + +"It wouldn't take much for me to shoot that chap off his mule as he +sets there." + +"Leave matters to the captain; it looks as if we shall have a fight, +but it is best to keep cool." + +The observant trio had noticed an additional cause for uneasiness. +More than one of the party were surveying the three horses and mule +with admiring eyes. Some of them spoke to one another in low tones, +and there could be no doubt they looked with envy upon the animals, +which, tiring of their confinement in the ravine, had come forth as if +with the purpose of passing under review, on their way to crop the +grass from which they had been driven. + +"Colonel," called one of the men behind him, "them is likely +animals." + +"I had obsarved that fact myself; strangers, I've made up my mind to +buy them critters; what's your price?" + +"They are not for sale," replied Captain Dawson. + +"Why not?" + +"We need them for our own use." + +"Then we'll trade." + +"You won't do anything of the kind," said the captain, speaking with +the utmost coolness, but with that paling of the countenance and +glitter of the eyes that Colonel Briggs would have done well to heed. + +"Strikes me, stranger, you're rather peart in your observations," said +the leader with an odd chuckle; "we ain't used to having people speak +to us in that style." + +"It is my custom to say what I mean; it saves misunderstanding." + +"It's my opinion, stranger, you'd better say trade." + +"It is of no importance to me what your opinion is; we need the horses +and the mule for our own use and we shall keep them." + +"But you've got one more than you want." + +"He belongs to a friend who is not far off and will soon return; we +can't spare one of them." + +"If we give you four of ours for the lot, that'll make an even thing +of it. Besides, we'll throw in something to boot." + +"I wouldn't give one of the horse's shoes for all the trash you have +piled on top of your animals; the stuff isn't worth house room, but it +is what I should expect to see in the hands of a lot of tramps like +you and yours; I wouldn't trade our mule for the whole party which, to +judge by their looks, ought to be in jail." + +Brush and Ruggles were amazed to hear the captain use such language, +for it sounded as if he was trying to provoke instead of avoid a +fight. The truth was the veteran was thoroughly enraged by the +evident purpose of the fellow before him. Although his voice was low +and deliberate, the captain's temper was at a white heat. The point +had been reached where a desperate struggle seemed unavoidable, and he +wished to precipitate the crisis, inasmuch as it had to come. + +Colonel Briggs did not laugh, but turning his head, talked for a +minute with the man nearest him, their words so low that no one else +heard them. Then the leader turned back in a quick, decisive way. + +"There don't seem much use in talking, stranger, so 'spose we make a +fight of it." + +"As you prefer." + +The gang hardly expected so firm a front. Some of them muttered to one +another. They were not a unit on the question, though it was evident +that the majority preferred to fight. + +The three men stood with their backs almost against the mountain wall. +Each had a Winchester and revolver and all were expert in the use of +the weapons. The others were gathered in an irregular group around +their leader. They, too, were provided with all the weapons they could +use, not to mention the extra guns strapped upon the pack mules. They +outnumbered our friends three to one. + +Captain Dawson could use his rifle as well with his single arm as +formerly with two. + +"He can't fire before me," he said in an undertone to Brush, standing +next to him; "when the shooting begins, I'll drop him off his mule +before he knows what's coming. When I say the word, let fly as quick +as lightning! Likely enough they'll win, but we'll make them pay high +for their victory." + +"Do you notice that tall thin man at the rear?" asked Brush, in the +same guarded voice; "his eyes shine like a rattlesnake's; he'll be +_my_ first target." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FRIENDS + + +Colonel Briggs was nonplussed for the moment. He had failed to scare +the men whom he meant to despoil of their property and some of the +mutterings behind him showed that he lacked the unanimous support of +his followers. + +"Boys," he said, looking round in their faces; "you've heerd what +these strangers say to my mild requests. Since they are too mean to +trade, I leave it to you to say whether we shall let up on 'em or make +'em trade; which is it?" + +"Trade! trade!" was the response, given with such ardency that there +seemed to be no dissent, though there was. + +"That hits me right; trade it shall be; the first one of the strangers +that kicks, fill him full of holes." + +"And the first man that lays a finger on my property," said Captain +Dawson, in the same deliberate voice, "will be shot down like a dog!" + +The person whom Parson Brush had selected a few minutes before for +his first target and whom he was watching closely, now did an +extraordinary thing. This individual was thin to emaciation. His +beard was scant and scraggly, and his large black eyes gleamed like +those of a wild animal. He had a very long body, and sat so upright +in his saddle, with his Winchester resting across in front, that he +towered head and shoulders above his companions. From the first, +he fixed his penetrating eyes on Captain Dawson and studied him +closely. It was this persistent intensity of gaze that attracted +the notice of Brush, who set him down as being even more malignant +than the leader of the disreputable party. + +When a collision was impending, and must have come the next second, +the singular looking man, grasping his revolver, raised his hand above +his head and called: + +"Hold on a minute!" + +His commanding voice and manner hushed every one. From his place at +the rear, he spurred his mule straight toward the three men standing +on the ground. + +"Keep off!" commanded the parson; "if you come any nearer I'll +shoot!" + +The extraordinary looking individual gave him no heed, but forced his +mule in front of Captain Dawson, upon whom he kept his eyes riveted. + +"Don't fire till I give the word," commanded the captain, who had +become suddenly interested in the tall, slim man. + +Halting his mule directly before Dawson, and with no more than a +couple of yards separating them, the stranger craned his head forward +until his chin was almost between the long ears of his animal. He +seemed to be trying to look the officer through, while every other man +watched the curious proceeding. + +Suddenly the fellow resumed his upright posture in the saddle, his +manner showing that he had solved the problem that perplexed him. +Through his thin, scattered beard, he was seen to be smiling. + +"What's your name?" he asked. + +"Maurice Dawson." + +"Formerly captain of the Iowa ---- cavalry?" + +"The same at your service." + +"Don't you know me, captain?" + +The officer thus appealed to took a single step forward, and looked +searchingly in the face of the man that had thus addressed him. + +"There is something familiar in your looks and voice, but I am unable +to place you." + +"Did you ever hear of Corporal Bob Parker of the ---- Missouri?" + +"Yes; you are he! I recognize you now! I am glad to greet you." + +And shoving his Winchester under the stump of his arm, Captain Dawson +extended his hand to his old comrade and shook it warmly, the two +seeming to forget the presence of every one else. + +"Something in your face struck me," said the corporal, "but I wasn't +sure. The last time I saw you, you had both arms." + +"Yes; I got rid of this one at the very close of the war." + +"Things were pretty well mixed up around Petersburg; I tried to get on +your track, but failed; I knew you meant to come to California, and +when we drifted here, I was hopeful of finding you, but I didn't think +it would be in this style." + +While speaking the corporal had retained the hand of the captain, +shaking it occasionally as he spoke. He now gave it a final pressure +and dropped it. + +"Captain, you and I went through some pretty tough scrimmages and you +were always dead true and game; when we lost our colonel and major, +you took command and led the charge that day at Cold Harbor; Grant or +Sheridan couldn't have done better." + +"It _was_ rather warm," smiled the captain, blushing at the +compliment; "but, corporal, it looks as if we are going to have +something of the kind here." + +Corporal Parker deliberately turned to the wondering group behind +him. + +"Jim and Tom, you know what we agreed on, if this should prove to be +my old commander. You two wore the gray, but you are true blue now." + +At this reminder, two of the company without a word rode forward and +placed themselves beside the corporal. + +"Now, we'll face the other way." + +His suggestion was followed. The three wheeled their animals around, +so that their riders, like the footmen, were in a line confronting +Colonel Briggs and his astonished company. + +"Dress," said the corporal, looking down and moving his mule about +until the alignment would have drawn a compliment from a West Point +cadet. + +"Now, boys, are your shooting irons ready?" + +"They gin'rally air," was the significant response of one of the men. + +"All right, colonel," added the corporal making a military salute; +"everything being in readiness please let the skirmish proceed." + +Colonel Briggs emitted a forceful exclamation. + +"What's the meaning of all this? I don't understand it." + +"There are six on each side; that evens matters; shall you start the +music or do you prefer to have the captain fire the opening gun?" + +"But you haven't told me what this means." + +"It means that Captain Dawson and Corporal Bob Parker have drunk from +the same canteen." + +It must be conceded that Colonel Briggs had one merit; no one was +quicker than he to grasp a situation. So long as there were nine men +on one side and three on the other, the success of the former was +promising. He meant to crowd the defiant miners to the wall and would +have done so but for the unprecedented turn of affairs. Now it was six +to six and he knew the mettle of the three recruits that had joined +the miners. Bob Parker was the most terrific fighter in the whole +company. He was one of those men, occasionally seen, who was +absolutely without fear. He would have stood up alone and fought the +other eight. During that single week in Sacramento, he gained the name +of a terror and caused a sigh of relief on the part of the authorities +when he left for the mountains. + +The corporal always fired to kill, and his skill with rifle and pistol +was marvelous. While talking with Colonel Briggs, he fixed his +brilliant black eyes on him, as if to intimate that he had selected +_him_ for his pet antagonist. All this was disconcerting. + +In this crisis, when every nerve was drawn tense and the question of +life and death hung on the passing of a breath, Colonel Briggs leaned +backward and elevating his chin in the way that had become familiar, +emitted one of his resounding laughs. Then he abruptly snapped his +jaws together like the springing of a trap. + +"Why, Bob, this puts a different face on things," he said cheerily; +"if the man's a friend of yours, of course we can't quarrel with +him." + +"I rather think not," replied the corporal. + +"I was in the army myself," added the colonel, "but didn't stay long; +me and General Grant couldn't agree as to how the war should be run, +and one night when no one was around, I resigned and left." + +"Then you didn't win your title in the service," remarked Captain +Dawson, who felt that he could afford to show good will, now that the +situation had taken so remarkable a turn. + +"Scarcely; the boys think that no officer lower than a colonel is fit +to command this crowd, so that's how I got the handle." + +Captain Dawson could not forbear saying: + +"I think it much more befitting that a true and tried soldier, like +Corporal Parker, should be in your place." + +"It was offered to me," said the corporal, "but I refused it." + +"No; we agreed to make him a full-fledged major-general, but he +declined the honor with some sarcastic remarks," said the colonel; +"howsumever, boys, now that things have been straightened out, do you +intend to go with the captain or with us?" + +Corporal Parker addressed his two comrades. + +"Wheel and salute!" + +They faced their animals around, and, taking the cue from the +corporal, made an elaborate military salutation to Captain Dawson and +his companions. Then they wheeled again and rode back to their former +places. + +"With my best regards," added the colonel, also saluting, while the +rest half-nodded and grinned over the odd turn of affairs. Dawson, +Brush and Ruggles unbent sufficiently to respond, but kept their +places, side by side, and watched the curious procession until it +passed out of sight beyond a sweeping curve in the caņon. + +"I wonder if we are likely to see any more of them," said the parson; +"they are an ugly lot and badly want our horses." + +"Not badly enough to fight Corporal Parker and his two friends. The +corporal is the bravest man I ever saw. I know he was disappointed +when the colonel was so quick in backing down. He will go hungry for +two or three days, for the sake of a fight. It is he and not the +colonel or any one in the company that is spoiling for a row." + +"And I picked him out as the first one to shoot," grimly remarked +Brush. + +"The chances are ten to one that he would have dropped you first, but +it shows how easily one may be mistaken." + +"I tell you," said Ruggles earnestly, "when that gang strikes New +Constantinople, there'll be trouble." + +"There's no doubt of it," commented Brush; "the forces will be about +equal; if the boys at home could have warning of what is coming, they +would make it so hot for Colonel Briggs and his tramps that they would +be glad to camp somewhere else." + +"That wouldn't improve matters, for of necessity there would be +passing back and forth, and there are some people at New Constantinople +who would welcome the change. That's the worst of it; a good deal of +this evil seed will fall on soil waiting for it." + +"We may be back in time to take a hand in the business," said the +parson; "I don't know whether your friend, the corporal, can be +secured as an ally." + +"It is doubtful, for about the only merits he has are his bravery and +his loyalty to his friends." + +"In my 'pinion the same is considerable," commented Ruggles. + +"He would be a powerful friend to Nellie, because she is a female and +because she is my daughter, but," added the father with a sigh, "I +have my doubts whether I shall ever take her to the settlement +again." + +This announcement strangely affected the two who heard it, for the +dearest schemes which they secretly nourished included the spending +of their days in the mining settlement. The hope of each had flickered +into life once more with the prospect of recovering and punishing her +abductor. They knew that she would bitterly mourn his loss, and would +probably be inconsolable for a time, but the months and years would +bring forgetfulness and then--who should say what _might_ come to +pass? + +"We thought," remarked Ruggles, as they resumed their seats, "that we +should have a weary wait for Vose, but it didn't prove so dull after +all." + +The captain looked at his watch. + +"He has been gone more than an hour, and there's no saying when he +will be back. He has his own way of managing this business, and, +though I concede his skill and superior knowledge in this part of the +world, it is hard to keep my patience when I see the hours slipping +away without bringing any results." + +But the patience of the three men was tried more sorely than ever +before, and to a greater extent than any one of them anticipated. Noon +came and passed and without bringing Vose Adams. The party partook +sparingly of their lunch, leaving enough for their absent friend, but +the lagging hours wore away and they still waited. They said little to +one another, but the captain, unable to restrain his restlessness, +wandered down the caņon. The two left behind watched him until he +passed from view in the direction taken by Colonel Briggs and his +company. A few minutes later, the report of his rifle came back to +them. + +"I wonder if _he's_ got into trouble," exclaimed the parson, rising to +his feet and peering to their left, without seeing everything to +explain the sound that had reached them. + +"I shouldn't wonder," replied Ruggles; "everything is going wrong; +Vose wouldn't stay away so long, unless he, too, was in difficulty." + +"The captain may need us; he can't be far off." + +Gun in hand, the couple walked hurriedly down the caņon, on the alert +for Indians, for it seemed more likely that if any danger threatened, +it was from them. To their relief, however, they soon found their +alarm groundless. The captain was seen coming, apparently as well as +ever. + +"Nothing is wrong," he explained when they were within speaking +distance; "I saw an antelope among the rocks and took a shot at him." + +"How near did you come to hitting him?" + +"He made only a single jump after he received my bullet; it's a pity +he didn't make a couple of them." + +"Why?" + +"It would have brought him over the outer rock and into the ravine; +then we should have had something for supper. Haven't you seen Adams +yet?" + +Instead of answering directly the three looked toward the fissure in +the side of the caņon, and there, to their unspeakable relief, they +saw the man who had been absent for so many hours. As is the rule at +such times, their ill-humor deepened. + +"Why didn't you wait till morning?" was the question of the captain. + +"I was afraid I would have to do so," replied the guide, whose flushed +face and agitated manner proved that he brought important news; "but I +didn't have to, and got away in time to reach you afore night." + +"Not much before," commented the parson; "you must have had a +remarkable experience to detain you so long." + +"Rather, but I'm starving, give me something to eat, while I talk." + +The lunch was produced, and he fell to with avidity, but he saw they +were in no mood for frivolity, and he did not presume upon their +indulgence. + +"Wal, pards, after leaving you, I picked my way as best I could up the +gorge, which runs back, with the bottom rising more or less all the +way, for 'bout two hundred yards when you reach level ground. That is +to say, the gorge ends, but the ground is anything but level." + +"And they went all that distance ahead of you with their animals?" +asked Brush. + +"That's what they done; the tracks of the horses were so plain there +couldn't be any mistake 'bout it. At the top of the gorge, the trail +slanted off to the right, toward a big pile of rocks, caves and +gullies, where it didn't look as if a goat could travel. There was so +much stone that it was mighty hard to keep on the trail and I lost +it." + +"And didn't you find it again?" demanded the captain. + +"Yes, but it took a good deal of time; that's one reason why I was +gone so long, but it wasn't the only reason by a jug full. When I +struck it agin, it led straight toward a high rocky place to the left, +where I made up my mind the two were hidin'." + +"That would imply that they knew we were close behind them." + +"There can't be any doubt of that. What bothered me was to learn what +they had done with their horses, fur the prints that I followed was +made by the folks' feet. I couldn't figger out what they had done with +the animals, and I spent some more time in trying to larn, but it was +no use. + +"Bime by I struck better ground, where the trail was so clear I could +have trotted over it." + +"Why didn't you do it?" asked Ruggles. + +Adams shook his head. + +"It wouldn't have done; as I said they must have found out, purty +early in the day, that we was after them, for if they didn't, why did +they turn off the reg'lar track?" + +"Never mind asking questions," replied the captain; "go on with your +story." + +"Wal, pards, by that time I must have been a mile from here and it +looked as if I'd have to go that much further. I had a good mind to +come back after you, for time was important, but when another rocky, +walled-up place showed in front of me, I was sartin I was close upon +'em. Their horses couldn't make their way through such a spot, and I +was sure I had 'em fast." + +"Why didn't you come back at once?" said the captain, "but, never +mind, go on with your account." + +"I thought it would be best to find out just how they was fixed. At +the same time, it would never do to let 'em diskiver that I was about. +So I was powerful careful and crept forward as if into an Injin camp. +It wasn't long before I smelled burning wood. That told me they had +come to a stop, built a fire and didn't dream I was anywhere in the +neighborhood. + +"But I wasn't through with the bother yet; it took me another long +time to find where that fire was burnin', but I hit it at last. A +little faint streak of smoke was climbin' from behind a ridge, among a +growth of pines. I begun creeping forward when I changed my mind. I +thought that if one of 'em happened to be on the watch and see me, +they would be off afore I could git anywhere near 'em. So I worked +round to the other side to come upon 'em from that. Then you see if +they took the alarm, they'd have to come back toward you or make +another long circuit. Anyway, I was sure of a chance to meet 'em. + +"Wal, pards, I don't want to make a long story of what is a short one. +I got round to tother side, but it took me a good while, and it's +hardly an hour ago that I catched my first sight of their camp." + +"What passed between you and them?" asked the captain. + +"When I rested my eyes on the little bundle of wood burnin', there +wasn't a man, woman or horse in sight." + +The listeners were dumbfounded for the moment. After the waste of the +greater part of the day, they were no nearer seeing the fugitives than +before. In a voice, husky with passion, Captain Dawson exclaimed: + +"It will take hard work to convince me that all this was not done on +purpose by you." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Vose, showing more anger than at any time +since the strange hunt had been begun. + +"If you had spent a week trying to fix things so as to help them get +away from us, you couldn't have done any better than your own account +shows you to have done. The whole day has been lost and we stand just +as near success as we did twenty-four hours ago." + +"You ought to have returned to us as soon as you located them," added +Brush in the effort to soothe the ruffled feelings of the two. + +"P'raps I didn't do the wisest thing," replied Adams with unexpected +meekness; "but I ain't the first person in the world that has made a +mistake. Howsumever, there won't be any more slips by me." + +His companions looked inquiringly at him. + +"I don't understand that remark," said the captain, "when you are sure +to blunder as long as you attempt to manage things." + +"That's the p'int; I resign from this time forward; I haven't given +satisfaction and you may now do the work to suit yourselves." + +"It's just as well," commented the captain, "for we can't make a +greater mess of it than you." + +The story told by Vose Adams was a singular one, but the most singular +feature about it was that it did not contain a grain of truth. Every +statement was a falsehood, deliberately intended to deceive, and, +seeing that he had succeeded in his purpose, he was satisfied. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +VOSE ADAMS + + +Lieutenant Russell gave no hint to Nellie Dawson of the scheme upon +which he had fixed his hopes, until after she had confessed her love +for him, and he was certain beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he +possessed the sole affection of her heart. Even then he hesitated for +he knew the shock it would cause the gentle one, who was devotedly +attached to her father. But the resolution of Captain Dawson to spend +the remainder of his days at the mining settlement, and his intention +of selecting her husband from among those that had made New +Constantinople their home for years, crystallized the determination +that had been vaguely shaping itself in his brain for weeks. + +As he expected, she recoiled shocked by the proposal to leave her +father; but love is eloquent, and he won by convincing her that the +separation would be only temporary. Her father would be quick to see +the great wrong his course would inflict upon his child, and he would +not only consent to the union, but would follow and make his home with +them. It was this implicit belief which made her the companion of +Lieutenant Russell in the flight from the mountain settlement. + +The project having been carefully planned and arranged, the +preparations were more complete than those of their pursuers. They +took sufficient extra clothing in the form of wraps and blankets, and +enough food to last for several days. They were well mounted and had +the companionship of the huge dog Timon, with his almost human +intelligence. + +The lieutenant's memory of places was good, and, having a number of +hours of daylight at command, he escaped the mistake of his pursuers. +The turn from Dead Man's Gulch was made at the right point, and they +were miles on their way before their flight was discovered by Captain +Dawson and his friends. + +Both of the fugitives did not doubt they would be pursued. They knew +the consuming anger that would take possession of her father, who +would probably collect several companions and start after them with +furious haste. He would take frightful vengeance upon the man that had +dared to steal his daughter. Everything, therefore, must be done to +keep beyond his reach until his wrath had time to cool. The intention +was to make Sacramento ahead of him. At that city, the lieutenant +would seek out his future father-in-law and plead his cause. + +When night closed around them, they had penetrated to a distance of +perhaps fifteen miles in the Sierras. It was at sunset that they +passed a spot, where horses and riders, the latter on foot, had to +pick their way with extreme care, while even Timon, who clung +faithfully to them, showed timidity, though he had been over the place +before. The sagacious brute knew that a mis-step on his part meant +death. The passage, however, was made without mishap, and Russell, as +he helped his companion into the saddle, assured her that nothing so +trying to the nerves was to be expected during the rest of the +journey. + +There was no fear of pursuit until after nightfall, but Russell +frequently pointed his glass backward and scanned the trail over his +whole field of vision. When the gathering darkness shut out +everything, he had seen nothing of enemies, either white or red. He +could not forget that on his previous journey, he and the captain had +desperate fighting with the Indians and the same peril still +impended. + +Nellie was eager to cover all the ground possible, while the +opportunity was theirs, and the flight was pushed longer than Russell +would have advised. Finally, he insisted they should stop and rest +themselves and horses for the remainder of the night. The halting +place was selected with much care. The animals were turned loose, +where the grass was growing and a small stream wound its way toward a +larger one. Then the two, accompanied by Timon, pushed in among the +rocks to where the final halt was made. + +They were in profound darkness. The lieutenant decided to start a +fire, and, with much difficulty, gathered a sufficiency of dried +branches. They were fortunate enough to find a partial cavern, so open +in front that it would have given slight shelter in the event of a +storm. When the blaze threw out its cheerful light, it served to +dissipate the gloom which in spite of themselves had oppressed them +with the coming of night. + +They partook of food and the lieutenant's spirits rose, for he saw +nothing to prevent the full success of the dream which had inspired +and thrilled him so long. His buoyancy was infectious, and he brought +a smile to the beauteous countenance by his merry sallies, and his +picture of the happy future that was close at hand. + +"Your father will be angry at first," he said; "it would be strange if +he were not, but he loves you and I think has a pretty fair opinion of +me. When he gains time to think over the matter, he will admit the +wisdom of what we have done and we shall receive his blessing." + +It was this assurance, more than all else, that served to lift the +gloom from her. Deep as was her love for the one at her side, it would +not have sufficed to draw her from her adored parent, had she believed +that his resentment against her would last. As it was, she grieved +that even for a brief time, as she thought would be the case, he +should hold harsh feelings toward her. + +No chivalrous knight of the Crusades could have been more scrupulously +considerate of lady intrusted to his charge than Lieutenant Russell. +He would have died before offending Nellie Dawson by act, word or +presumptuous thought. When, as the night advanced, the bright eyes +began to grow drowsy, he arranged a couch for her, saw that she was +well provided with blankets and then turned to the immense dog, who +had never left them and who looked as if he understood everything. + +"Now, Timon, you are to stay right here," he said, bending over and +impressively shaking his finger at the animal; "you are not to +venture a dozen feet from your mistress without permission. Do you +understand?" + +A whine and wagging of the tail left no doubt that the wishes of his +late master were clear to him. + +"You have your gun at your side," he added, turning to Nellie; "I do +not think you will have any call to use it. We have not met any +Indians and your father cannot overtake us before morning. Timon will +be sure to give you warning of the approach of danger, and, if your +gun goes off, I shall be here in a twinkling." + +He bade her good night and departed. Enough wood had been flung on the +fire to keep it going for an hour or two, but long before it sank to +ashes, the girl had drifted into dreamland. + +The lieutenant carefully selected his own sleeping quarters. He +finally fixed upon a large flat boulder, at the rear of the cavern +occupied by Timon and his charge; but, although beyond sight, he was +near enough to reach the spot on the instant needed. Spreading out his +blanket, he lay down upon it. + +"This recalls the old days in Virginia, when mud a foot deep, with the +rain dashing in our faces, was what we had for weeks at a time. This +couch doesn't equal a feather bed, but it will answer." + +The night passed without incident and it was hardly light when the +young officer was astir. He visited the horses and found them cropping +the grass, but he waited until Timon came to him before calling upon +Nellie. She, too, had been awake for some time and they partook of +their morning meal with rugged appetites. + +She was so eager to hurry on that he lost no time in taking the road +again. Neither could doubt that their pursuers were on their trail, +and, with the aid of his small glass, he carefully studied the country +behind them. It was not long before he made the discovery he dreaded: +four horsemen were following their footprints, and beyond them were +the five Indians picking their way along the ledge in the opposite +direction. + +The lieutenant passed the glass to his companion who scrutinized the +party with the keenest interest. + +"They must have traveled all night," remarked her escort, while she +still peered through the instrument. + +"That shows how dreadfully angry father is; I hope it will not last." + +"Can you make out the members of the party?" + +She studied them a minute or two more before answering: + +"I think that is father who is close to the man on a mule." + +"The one on a mule must be Vose Adams, for he is more accustomed to +that sort of animal. I am sorry he is with the party." + +"Why?" asked Nellie, lowering the glass and looking at him. + +"He is so familiar with the trail, that it will be hard work to outwit +him; he isn't the man to make mistakes. Did you recognize the +others?" + +"I cannot be sure, but I suspect they are Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Brush." + +"I have no doubt you are right,--not because I was able to identify +them, but because the two are partners and your father would naturally +go to them first. I do not think any one of the four has a glass, so, +despite their sharp eyes, we have a big advantage in that respect." + +"But they know the route better than we, and we are losing time." + +The course of the trail took them out of the field of vision of their +pursuers. It was at the suggestion of Russell that the two turned +aside from the caņon into the fissure-like gorge. This would have been +a serious mistake, except for the plan he had in view, for it must +place the pursuers in advance, the very thing which it would seem the +fugitives ought if possible to prevent. + +The lieutenant had believed from the first that Vose Adams, in +threading his way through the mountains, traveled a good many miles +more than was necessary. It was quite likely that, if he could follow +a straight line, he would shorten the distance one-half. Although this +was impossible, the young man, nevertheless, was convinced that by +changing the route, a good many miles could be saved: and it was in +his mind to do that thing. + +The lieutenant's experience in campaigning had taught him the danger +of going astray, when picking his way through an unfamiliar country, +but the little compass attached as a charm to his watch chain would +help him to keep track of the variations and windings, and he was +confident of coming out right. He and Nellie were well mounted and +armed, all of which being impressed upon his companion, she offered no +objection to the radical change of plan which took them out of the +caņon into the ravine that led them they knew not whither, but it was +ominous of disaster that at the top of the fissure, when the two were +leading their animals, a grievous mishap occurred. The pony of Nellie +slipped and sprained his ankle so badly that he whined with pain and +paused with his weight supported on three legs. + +[Illustration: THE LIEUTENANT PASSED THE GLASS TO HIS COMPANION, WHO +SCRUTINIZED THE PARTY WITH THE KEENEST INTEREST.--PAGE 269.] + +"That's a bad go!" exclaimed the dismayed Russell; "it will be several +days before he is able to travel." + +She examined the ankle, as best she could, trying to soothe the pain +by passing her hand over the injured part, but it was plain that +neither she nor her companion could give any help. + +"Poor fellow," she said sympathetically; "you cannot go any further; +what shall be done, Fred?" + +"Only one thing seems possible,--take you on my horse." + +"And what will become of Cap?" + +"We must leave him behind." + +"What will happen to him?" + +"Some one will pick him up, or, after his leg recovers, he may find +his way back to the settlement." + +The impulsive girl flung her arms about the animal's neck and touched +her lips to the silken nose. + +"They shall not part us, Cap," she exclaimed with tears in her eyes. + +The lieutenant watched this by-play, full of sympathy for the girl, +but he was in a quandary. Prudence seemed to demand that everything +should be sacrificed to speed by abandoning the pony. In all +probability, the latter would serve as a dinner for some of the bears, +wolves or other denizens of the mountains, who would quickly harry him +to death. To wait where they were until the animal was able to travel +rendered certain a speedy meeting with their pursuers. The woodcraft +of Vose Adams would enable him to discover with slight delay the point +where the fugitives had left the caņon, and he would guide his +companions with the skill of one of the mountain Indians themselves. + +On the other hand, the plan he had in view imposed prodigious work +upon his own animal. Between the halting place and Sacramento were +many miles of easy traveling, over which he could walk, but for long +distances the beast would be compelled to carry double. In the event +of close pursuit, this must prove a fatal handicap. + +In his perplexity, the lieutenant again examined the hurt of the +pony. + +"It would be cruel to make him take a single step, but he may soon +recover. I am afraid to leave him behind and to continue our flight +with only my horse. You know how dangerous it is to linger, Nellie, +when it is certain _they_ are not far off----" + +She caught his arm and whispered: + +"Look at Timon! he has discovered something!" + +The dog was standing a few paces in front of them, with his nose +pointed toward the caņon. He emitted several growls and pricked up his +ears in a way that left no doubt that he was angered. The lieutenant +had hardly time to place himself in an attitude of defence with his +Winchester, when a soft footfall was heard, and the next moment Vose +Adams emerged from behind the pile of rocks and approached them. + +It was proof of the guide's woodcraft that he was able to come thus +close before being detected by Timon, who advanced threateningly +toward him. A word, however, from the lieutenant stayed the dog. + +"Well, Vose," said the young man, "this is unexpected." + +"So I jedge and I've a 'spicion that you ain't tickled half to death +to see me." + +"We were always friends, but I can't say that either Nellie or I am +glad to meet you under the circumstances; for in truth, we have been +doing all we could to prevent such a meeting." + +"Things has that look," added Vose, standing on guard as may be said, +for he was not free from misgiving concerning the young lieutenant +whom he had managed to run down. His positive orders forbade him to +assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid him to defend himself, +and he did not mean that this handsome officer should catch him +unprepared. + +"Whom have you with you?" asked Russell. + +"The captain, Wade Ruggles and the parson." + +"What we suspected; I presume no one of the three feels specially +affectionate toward me." + +"It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two from quarrelin' +as to which shall have the first chance to shoot you." + +"Why does Captain Dawson prevent them?" + +"'Cause he means to have the first chance himself." + +"How about _you_?" grimly asked Lieutenant Russell. + +"I'm left." + +"How's that?" + +"A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the +captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can +see for yourself that there won't be any chance at all left for me +after them three is through." + +"It doesn't look so,--that's a fact. But where are the three?" + +"Along the main trail, down in the kenyon." + +"Why did they not come with you?" + +"I advised 'em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they +won't leave the spot till I get back." + +Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought that flashed +upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services +to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding +place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without +the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many +objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth +he thought of a much better plan. + +"You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men--for I may +as well include yourself--feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do +you think this enmity of theirs will last?" + +"Not for long." + +"How long?" + +"They'll let up as soon as you're shot." + +Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this way of putting +it, while Nellie was so horrified that she gasped and stared and +listened in silence. + +"There can be little doubt that you are right, but I meant to ask +whether you do not think the captain will moderate his anger when he +is given time to think it over." + +"He has had all night to do that, and this mornin' he was hotter if +anything, than at any time since he larned what you had done." + +"When did he learn it?" + +Thereupon, Vose told the facts which have already been made known to +the reader, the most interesting feature of which was that Adams was +not an original member of the pursuing party. But, although the guide +was so pronounced in his opinion of the continuance of the enmity of +Captain Dawson, the lieutenant believed otherwise. He was confident +that if he and Nellie could reach Sacramento before meeting the irate +father, the latter would be open to reason, and all would turn out +well. + +Vose turned to the young woman. + +"Nellie, do you want a little advice from me?" + +"I am glad to have it at any time." + +"Howsumever, what I say is as much for the leftenant as for you, which +the same is that both of you should give up this bus'ness." + +"But," said Nellie, "you have just told us that father is so angry +with Lieutenant Russell that he will shoot him the moment they meet." + +"We can fix that easy 'nough; let the leftenant stay here while you go +with me; I think we can explain matters to the captain and the others +so they won't bother the leftenant." + +"And what am _I_ to do?" asked Russell. + +"Push on to Sacramento as fast as you can, for though I think I can +fix it, I wouldn't advise you to take too many chances." + +"In other words, after Nellie and I have fled from the settlement and +got this far on the road to safety, you urge me to give her up +forever." + +"Wal, that's lookin' a little further ahead than I meant to, but I +'spose it amounts to that." + +"You mean well, Vose, but do you imagine that Nellie and I did not +count the cost before turning our backs on New Constantinople? Don't +you suppose we knew we should be pursued and were prepared for the +consequences?" + +"I can't say as to that, but it strikes me that the plan I laid before +you is the only one there is." + +"Why?" + +"You cannot get away from the captain and the men with him." + +"Well, there is no call for me to repeat my opinion, but I will say +that the decision shall rest with Nellie herself. If she wishes to go +with you I will interpose not a word of objection." + +He looked toward her as an invitation for her to speak. There was a +world of affection and faith in the lustrous eyes, as she walked +resolutely forward and placed herself by his side. + +"Only death shall separate us!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +AN UNEXPECTED ALLY + + +The lovelight shone in the eyes of Lieutenant Russell, as he looked +down at the slight figure beside him. He tenderly passed his arm +around the girl and touched his lips to her forehead. + +"It was not that I doubted you, Nellie," he said, "but that Vose might +know the full truth." + +Then turning to the guide, he asked: + +"Do you still advise her to leave me?" + +Vose Adams was unaccustomed to scenes like this. He moved about +uneasily, coughed, cleared his throat, and for a few minutes was at a +loss for words. + +"I don't know what to advise," he finally said; "but don't you think, +if she could go to the captain and let him see how she feels, he will +give in? How would it do for both of you to walk back with your arms +round each other's neck and sayin' sweet words--wouldn't that fetch +him? Hanged, if I know what to tell you!" he exclaimed desperately, +observing the smiles on their faces. + +"I am afraid your plan wouldn't work," said the lieutenant, "but you +have proved yourself the very friend we need." + +These words were a hint of the scheme that had come into the brain of +the young officer. Had he made a prisoner of Vose Adams, as he thought +for a minute of doing, the guide would really be more dangerous, since +there was no way of guarding against his treachery, but if he could be +turned into a friend, it would be almost equivalent to saving the +fugitives. It was that for which the young man planned, but he felt +that the real work must be done by Nellie. He could not win the good +will of Vose, but she could, for who was able to resist her appeals? + +It was a proof of the brightness of the girl that she caught the +purpose of her escort the moment his last words were uttered, and she +performed her part with a cleverness that could not have been +surpassed. + +Tears were in the eyes of the emotional Nellie, but she stepped across +the brief intervening space and laid her hand on the arm of Adams. + +"How glad I am, Vose, that you will help us, for you have told enough +to show that it will not do for us to meet father for some time to +come; we are now in your hands." + +"Blamed if I won't do anything I can! But what can _I_ do? 'Spose I +sneak back, shoot the captain and then plug Ruggles and the parson? +Will that suit you?" + +"Gracious; I should rather you would kill me than harm a hair of +father's head." + +"Wal, 'spose I shoot you and the leftenant and the captain and the +rest? No; that won't do; how the mischief shall I fix things?" + +The cooler headed Russell saw that the problem had been solved; Nellie +Dawson had won over Vose Adams, as may be said, by the turn of her +finger. He was eager to do all he could to help them, but in the +flurry of the moment could not reason with his usual acumen. + +"We don't want any shooting, Vose; I am sure that if we can reach +Sacramento without meeting the captain, his anger will pass away. In +Sacramento, I shall be able to arrange a meeting between him and his +daughter, and his love for her will break down the barriers and do the +rest." + +"I'm in too deep water when you get to figgerin' that way, but there +seems to be reason in what you say, but what about Ruggles and the +parson?" + +"We'll leave them out; they are in this as the friends of Captain +Dawson, and will not dare go contrary to his wishes, but if they do, +it can make no difference to my plan." + +"They're just as savage as the captain," said Vose significantly; "and +it won't do to forget 'em; but what did you expect to do, when you +left the kenyon? If you come back, you would have been sartin to meet +us, and what then?" + +"My intention was not to return, but to keep away from the main trail +and hunt a shorter road through the mountains to Sacramento." + +Vose Adams gave a low whistle of astonishment. + +"That's the worst I ever heard!" + +"And why?" + +"You're not follerin' any trail at all; you would be sartin to get +lost and would never find your way through the mountains; anyhow it +would take you three or four years, which I ca'clate is longer than +you want to wait." + +"How can you be so positive?" + +"It's true I never went to Sacramento and back, except by follerin' +for most of the way the trail that I know so well, but other folks as +smart as you have been lost in the mountains and you couldn't help +it." + +"You advise against it then?" + +"I'm so sure of your goin' wrong that I won't try to help you unless +you give up the idee." + +"Then I hereby give it up." + +Since Vose Adams had committed himself to Russell and Nellie's +interests, there was no more talking at cross purposes. The object +of the three was the same, and they sat down on the rocks for +consultation. There was abundance of time in which to do this, +since those whom they feared would not leave the caņon until the +return of their guide, and he did not mean to go back until the day +was so far spent that further delay was unavoidable. + +"They will be mad when they see me," he said with a grin, "but it +won't do them any good and I'll fix up a yarn about gettin' on and +then off your trail agin, that they'll have to be satisfied with." + +"That will serve for to-night, but you will all be astir at an early +hour to-morrow morning." + +"They will still have to depend on me to guide 'em, and I rather think +I can steer 'em off the track, so as to give you plenty of time to get +out of the way." + +"How?" + +"As soon as they leave the kenyon, that is as soon as the way is +clear, you must ride back to it and put on all steam for Sacramento, +for I understand, leftenant, that you've give up your idee of finding +a new route through the mountains." + +"I have." + +"You've got two good animals and you'll gain a full day's start." + +"You forget about poor Cap," said Nellie. + +"So I did! if he can't go with you, you'll have to leave him behind +and ride double, but it will be rather tough on your horse, +leftenant." + +"Nellie doesn't weigh enough to make any difference, and I expect to +walk most of the distance." + +An unexpected piece of good fortune raised the spirits of the three. +To the amazement of all, Cap, the pony, was seen hunting for grass and +bearing upon the lame foot with little inconvenience. That which was +thought to be a bad sprain was only a wrench, from which he promised +speedily to recover. + +"He'll be as well as ever by to-morrow mornin'," said Vose Adams; +"you'll need to humor him at first, but not for long." + +As has been intimated, the guide remained with them through most of +the afternoon, for, if he had gone back to his friends earlier than he +did, he would not have dared to offer any excuse for not leading them +in the pursuit, and he meant to avert all possibility of that. The +reader understands by this time why the guide formulated such an +astounding fiction when attempting to explain the cause of his delay. +Had his listeners been in cooler mood, they might have tangled him up +with a few questions, but their exasperation and disgust prevented. + +Before parting with the fugitives, Vose assured them that he was +confident their plans could not fail. + +"All they've got to do," he reflected, "is to do nothing afore +to-morrow and then when the road is open, strike out over the main +trail as hard as they can travel. I hope none of them Injins that we +had the row with will be pokin' 'round to-night, for if there's to be +any trouble, it'll come from them." + +It will be recalled that the story of Adams was received with such +coolness that he indignantly resigned and told the captain to run +matters himself. + +"And he'll make purty work of it," chortled Vose "he won't be able to +come within miles of where they are hidin'." + +When the moody silence had lasted for some time, the guide was moved +to remark in a more conciliatory spirit: + +"There's one thing that mustn't be forgot: Colonel Briggs and his +folks won't make any trouble, but we're not done with them Injins." + +"Isn't there likelihood that Colonel Briggs will divert them?" asked +the parson. + +"No; for the redskins can't be fooled; they'll know it wasn't any of +the colonel's folks that give their chief his walkin' papers, but us, +and they're the sort of people that don't forget a thing of that +kind." + +"I was thinking of hunting up enough wood to start a fire," said the +captain; "but we don't need it, and I suppose it will be safer without +it." + +"It seems to me," observed Ruggles, "that what we've got the most to +fear is that the Injins will run off with our animals: we would be +left in a bad fix." + +"We must look out for that; I'll stand guard the first part of the +night." + +Each was ready to take his turn, and it was arranged that Captain +Dawson should act as sentinel until midnight, when he would awake Vose +Adams, who would assume the duty till morning. Soon afterward, the +three wrapped themselves in their blankets and stretched out on the +ground, near the boulders, where they speedily sank into deep +slumber. + +It seemed to Adams that he had slept less than an hour, when the +captain touched him. Rising immediately to a sitting position, he +asked: + +"Is it midnight?" + +"It's a half hour past." + +"Why didn't you awake me afore? Have you seen anything wrong?" + +"I am not sure; my doubt made me hold on a little longer, but I +learned nothing of account." + +"What was it anyway?" + +"It is only that the animals appear to be uneasy, but it may mean +nothing, or it may mean a good deal." + +"It's more'n likely it means something. Where are they?" + +"Lying down off there to the right, almost near enough to be seen." + +"They can't be too close; wal, you can sleep and I'll take my turn." + +Thus warned by Captain Dawson, Vose Adams assumed the duties of +sentinel with his senses on the alert. He had become so accustomed to +the delicate duty, when aware that the slightest slip on his part +meant death, that he was better fitted for the task than any member of +the party, though the experience of Ruggles and the captain in the +army had given them the ability to awake at any moment fixed upon +before sinking into slumber, and they were sensitive to the least +disturbance while enjoying refreshing rest. + +Adams believed what he had remarked more than once that the little +company of mountain Indians would do their utmost to revenge +themselves upon the men who had taken off their chief. He suspected +that the five were prowling in the neighborhood, looking for some such +opportunity, and that they would strike a blow before the rising of +the morrow's sun. + +Nothing was to be hoped for in the way of a diversion, created by the +intrusion of Colonel Briggs and his vagrant miners. Not that the +Indians were not eager to strike at any members of the hated race, but +the all-controlling motive was lacking in the case of the larger +party. + +Although the moon was in the sky, only a small part of its light +penetrated the caņon. Peering into the darkness, Vose dimly made out +the forms of the four animals, who, having ceased their cropping of +the grass, had lain down for the remainder of the night. They were so +near that they could not be stampeded or stolen without the effort +being known to the sentinel. + +It would have been the height of rashness to start a camp fire, for +all the figures within its circle of illumination must have formed the +best of targets for their stealthy foes. As it was, an enemy would +have to steal from the gloom and approach near enough to touch them, +before striking a blow or firing a shot. + +Vose Adams, with his Winchester in his right hand and held close to +his side, took his seat on the ground, resting his back against the +nearest boulder. As a rule, a sentinel can keep awake for an extended +time only by motion and exercise, such as walking to and fro, but the +trained hunter often takes the risk and there is little danger of his +succumbing, especially after he has just finished a nap, as was the +case with the guide. + +Thus seated, with the boulder rising several feet above his head, +Adams's only reliance was upon his keenness of hearing and sight. + +He had not waited long when he saw proof of what the captain had told +him: the animals were restless, or rather one of them was. The +quadruped thus affected was Hercules, his own mule, who, although +lying down, twice rose to his feet, shifted his position and lay down +again. Then he sniffed as if the air contained an odor that was +displeasing to him. + +"I wouldn't think much of it, if it was one of the horses," reflected +his master, "but Hercules has brains; he knows more'n all the others +together, and yet it may be it ain't that after all." + +One of the singular facts regarding cattle and other quadrupeds is +that they are sometimes troubled with disquieting dreams, the same as +ourselves. This trifling cause has resulted many a time in the +stampeding of a drove numbering tens of thousands. + +"I've knowed Hercules to kick and snort in his sleep, and one time he +come mighty near breakin' a leg of mine; howsumever, I don't think +that's the trouble with him to-night. I 'spect it's Injins this +time!" + +When Captain Dawson lay down to sleep and Vose Adams assumed his place +as sentinel, the moon was near the zenith, but the contour of the +caņon shut out its beams. While Vose was striving to pierce the gloom, +over and about the four animals, he noted a flickering tremor against +the vast wall which formed the other side of the caņon. A faint, +fleecy veil of moonlight having been lifted over the mountain crests, +was now flung downward and caught against and suspended upon the +projecting rocks and crags. It was but a frosty shimmer, but the veil +dangled lower and lower, pendant here and there until the fringe +rested on the bottom of the gorge. + +The sleeping miners and horses were wrapped in deep shadow, but the +tremulous, almost invisible veil still fluttered on the further side +of the caņon. By and by, the shifting moon would whisk it up again +and all would be gloom as before. + +The sentinel lay flat on his face and peered over the prone animals +toward the faint light across the caņon, and, looking thus, he saw the +outlines of a man moving among the horses and mule. A shadow could not +have been more noiseless. Not the faintest rustle betrayed his +footsteps. + +"Just what I expected," thought Vose; "I'll wager Hercules against a +dozen of the best horses in Sacramento that that shadder is one of +them five Injins we seen stealin' along the ledge this mornin'. All +the same, I can't imagine what the mischief he is driving at." + +The guide's first impulse was to bring his rifle to his shoulder and +let fly. The intruder was so near that it was impossible to miss him, +but two causes operated to prevent this summary course: Vose wished +first to learn the business of the intruder, and there was a single +possibility in a hundred that he was neither an Indian nor an enemy. + +The latter doubt could be solved by challenging the prowler with a +threat to fire, if instant satisfaction was refused, while the firing +could be made so promptly that the stranger would have no chance of +whisking out of reach. Vose decided to wait until he got some idea of +the other's business. + +He could still dimly discern the form, but it was so obscure that had +it not been moving about, he would not have been able to distinguish +it or make sure it was within his field of vision. + +While studying the phantom, the lower part of the veil of moonlight on +the other side of the caņon was twitched up for a hundred feet. +Lingering thus a minute, it was twitched still higher; then a third +flirt snatched it out of the gorge. The shifting of the moon had left +the caņon shrouded in darkness as before. + +Nothing could have attested more strikingly the marvelous stealth of +the intruder than the fact that not one of the horses was awakened by +him. The approach of the great Geronimo and several of his Apaches was +betrayed under somewhat similar circumstances by the neighing of a +horse that they awakened, apparently when making no noise at all. + +This prowler was a shadow in a world of shadows. If Hercules detected +his presence, the man succeeded in soothing the fear of the hybrid. + +"_Halt or I'll fire!_" + +Vose Adams's voice was low, but in the tomb-like stillness a +thunderclap could not have been more distinct. The hail, however, +produced no response. The angered Vose drew his Winchester to a level, +with his finger on the trigger, but when he ran his eye along the +barrel, he failed to perceive any target. He lowered the muzzle a few +inches and peered over the top. Nothing was discernible. + +"You're there somewhere and I'll find you!" + +Instead of rising erect, the sentinel advanced in a crouching posture, +so that his head was no higher than if he were on his hands and +knees. + +This clever strategy was thrown away. Within five seconds, he was at +the side of Hercules, prepared and expecting to grapple with his +enemy, who, to his exasperation, continued invisible. Vose did not +require to have the matter explained to him, for he understood it. +Upon being hailed, the intruder instead of throwing up his hands or +starting to run, had also assumed a stooping position. It was as if he +had quietly sunk below the surface of a sea of darkness through which +he was wading, and swum with noiseless celerity to a point beyond +reach. + +Vose was angered but took his defeat philosophically. + +"You was too smart for me that time; I never had it played finer on +me, but I guess it's just as well; you've learned that we're on the +lookout and you can't sneak into camp without _some_ risk of having a +hole bored inter you." + +But Vose was not yet through with his nocturnal experiences. He held +his seat for some fifteen or twenty minutes without seeing or hearing +anything to cause the slightest misgiving. The horses still slept, +and even the uneasy Hercules appeared to have become composed and to +have made up his mind to slumber until morning. + +"I don't b'leve there'll be anything more to disturb me, onless some +wild animal wants his supper----" + +The thought had hardly taken shape, when a shiver of affright ran +through him, though the cause was so slight that it might have brought +a smile, being nothing more than a pebble rolling down the ravine, up +which the fugitives had passed the day before. The stone came slowly, +loosening several similar obstructions, which joined with it, the +rustling increasing and continuing until all reached the bottom and +lay at rest a few feet from where he sat. + +Nothing could have been easier than for this to occur in the natural +course of things, since hundreds of such instances were taking place +at every hour of the day and night, but in the tense state of the +sentinel's nerves, he was inclined to attribute it either to the +Indian that had just visited camp and slunk away, or to one of his +comrades trying to steal a march upon him. + +"I 'spose the next thing will be for him to climb over this boulder +behind me and drop onto my head. Howsumever, if he does, he'll find me +awake." + +Vose sat thus, depending almost wholly upon his sense of hearing to +apprise him of the stealthy approach of an enemy, while the long +silent hours gradually passed, without bringing additional cause for +alarm. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +INSTINCT OR REASON + + +As the night wore away without bringing any further evidence of the +presence of enemies, the solicitude of Vose Adams was transferred to +the two, who, hardly a mile distant, were awaiting with equal anxiety +the coming of morning. They and he had agreed upon the plan to be +pursued, but now, with the crisis at hand, the guide became +apprehensive about the final issue. + +Suppose the couple should leave their hiding place to return to the +main trail before their pursuers were out of the way? Mutual discovery +was certain with the dreadful catastrophe that none dreaded more than +he. But it would seem that Lieutenant Russell was too cautious to run +the risk of so fatal a mistake. He would reconnoitre the ground and +keep out of sight until the coast was clear, but the restless Adams +was astir at the first streakings of light in the caņon. + +He first visited the animals. It was possible that the stealthy +prowler of the night before had done them injury, but, so far as he +could ascertain, nothing of the kind had occurred. Except for what he +had seen and heard during the darkness, he would not have known that a +visitor had been in camp. + +It was not fully light when the others rose from their primitive +couches. Water was at hand, and after drinking and ablution, the group +sat down to their morning meal, which disposed of the last remnant +furnished by Vose Adams. While they were eating, he told of the +occurrences of the night and was surprised that his companions made +light of them. To them it was of less importance than to him. + +"So long as they do no more than prowl about the camp," remarked +Captain Dawson, "we need feel no concern." + +"It seems to me," said Brush, "that if the fellow intended mischief, +he would have done it, but he has left no traces of anything of the +kind." + +"Which was because the right kind of chance didn't show itself," said +Vose; "if we don't have a lively fight before this bus'ness is over, +I'm much mistook, but it's time we was moving." + +The guide seemed to have forgotten his resentment of the night before +and his friends were too considerate to refer to it. It took but a +short time to make the animals ready, when the procession started up +the gorge, Vose, as usual, leading, with the captain next, then Wade +Ruggles, while the parson brought up the rear, that position naturally +falling to him. + +Men and beasts were refreshed by their rest and food, and it required +but a brief while to reach the top of the gorge, where, as will be +remembered, it terminated. It was here that Vose Adams began his fine +work, and he showed no more hesitancy in drawing a "long bow," than on +the previous night, when pretending to account for his long absence. + +"The trail leads to the right," he said, with a glance at the ground, +as if to refresh his memory. + +His first thrill of misgiving came when he saw the parson pause and +look searchingly at the ground. Had he possessed one-half the skill of +Vose in trailing, he would have discovered that the guide was +misleading them, but he did not have that cleverness nor did any other +member of the party. The glance of the parson was perfunctory and his +brief pause was to regain his breath after the short but laborious +climb of the steep slope. Vose was watching him closely and quickly +saw the meaning of his action, for, whatever Brush may have observed +on the ground in front of him, it was not the faint impressions left +on the stones by the fugitives. Neither the captain nor Ruggles so +much as looked at the earth, accepting the dictum of their guide +without question. + +It was not deemed best to mount the animals, because of the roughness +of the ground and the belief that they were close upon the parties for +whom they were searching. Vose took care to turn so sharply to the +right that they were speedily out of sight of the spot where he had +parted from the fugitives. Everything was going promisingly when Wade +Ruggles startled his companions by the exclamation: + +"Helloa! there's that dog Timon!" + +A hundred yards to the left rose a pile of rocks, the highest of which +reached an altitude of two hundred feet or more. Upon the crest of one +of the lower rocks, which had only a slight height, the immense dog +stood in plain sight. It looked as if he had started to ascend the +rocks, when he discovered the party and paused to learn their +business. + +The picture was a striking one. The enormous size of the brute gave +the impression at first that he was a wolf or some wild animal that +had challenged the advance of the four men. This error would have been +made had not each been so familiar with the creature. As he stood, his +formidable head raised, his forequarters being slightly higher than +the remainder of his body, his position was diagonal. He was surveying +his acquaintances, who surveyed him in turn with equal curiosity. + +Vose Adams's heart sank. What was the meaning of this? As he viewed +it, the presence of the dog could have no other significance than that +the lieutenant and Nellie Dawson were close at hand. Timon was in +their company and would not have strayed far, so that he had betrayed +them. From some cause, which the guide could not comprehend, +Lieutenant Russell had made a change of plan and placed himself almost +in the path along which Vose was leading the pursuers, in the belief +that the fugitives were at a safe distance. + +The four men looked at the dog for several moments in silence, when +the captain spoke: + +"We must be very near them." + +"You're dead right," added Ruggles in the same undertone; "we've got +'em cornered sooner than we expected." + +"They can't go far," said the parson, "without being stopped by the +rocks, when we shall have them in the nicest trap that was ever set +for any game." + +The reflection of Vose Adams was of a different nature. + +"If they make fools of themselves and upset all my plans, what can I +do to help 'em? Why didn't they stay where they promised to stay, and +why didn't they kill that blamed dog afore he played this trick on +'em?" + +Timon stood for two or three minutes so immovable that he suggested a +stone image of himself, carved out of the rock on which he was +perched. Then he emitted a single husky bark and leaped lightly down +from where he had been standing. It was no more than a dozen feet, and +he alighted as gracefully as a panther. He trotted part way to the +horsemen, who were closely watching his movements, stopped, barked +again and wheeling, trotted forward over precisely the course Vose +Adams was taking when checked by the appearance of the canine. + +The men looked at one another in astonishment. The action of the dog +was unaccountable, but Captain Dawson's explanation sounded +reasonable. + +"That shows we are on the right track and he has come to guide us to +where they are awaiting him." + +There could be no doubt of it. The actions of the brute said as +plainly as so many words: "Come with me and I will take you straight +to the people you want to see." + +Instead of following Timon at once, the party kept watch of him. He +trotted a dozen steps and then paused and looked back. Observing that +he was not understood, he emitted several more barks, took a couple of +steps and then repeated the performance. His object was so evident +that Captain Dawson said: + +"That's as plain as the nose on your face; the animal is worth a dozen +guides like you, Vose." + +"Then why don't you foller him?" sulkily asked the latter. + +"That's what we shall do; come on." + +Observing that the captain left his horse standing, the parson +inquired the reason. + +"They are of no use to us and will be only a bother; leave them here +until we need them; I will follow the dog and you can take what order +you choose, but," he added with unmistakable earnestness, "every one +of you must keep in the background till I'm through." + +Timon held his motionless position until the four men had taken +several steps toward him and there could be no error as to their +intention. Vose Adams observed that he was following, without a hair's +variation, the course he had in mind. + +"It serves 'em right," was his angry reflection; "when the leftenant +spoke 'bout hunting up a new trail through the mountains, I oughter +knowed he hain't no sense and was sure to make a mess of things. Now's +he gone and sneaked off where these folks will stub their toes agin +him; I'm 'sprised that the Queen didn't hammer a little sense into his +head." + +The guide was in a torture of apprehension. The impending outcome was +likely to betray the deception he had used, but it was not for that he +cared. There could be no mistaking the deadly mood of Captain Dawson +and the equally intense hatred of Ruggles and Brush. A meeting with +Lieutenant Russell made a frightful tragedy inevitable, and no one +could be more vividly aware of the fact than the young officer +himself, for Vose had impressed it upon him, but the guide in his +anguish of spirit, saw no possible escape from it. He stolidly +followed, striving to brace himself for what must soon come. + +Meanwhile, the strange leadership continued. Timon seemed to be +impatient, for occasionally he broke into a trot, abruptly pausing and +looking back, as if to urge his followers to use more haste. Since +they did not do so, he checked himself, when about to pass beyond +sight and waited for them to draw near. He led them around boulders +and masses of rocks, over ridges, down declivities, across one small +stream, through a ravine and again among the precipitous piles of +stone, until even the hardy men were well nigh exhausted. They had +traveled fully a mile over a route that was of the most trying +nature. + +It was about this time that an extraordinary suspicion began forming +in the mind of Vose Adams. He hardly dared give credence to it, but it +took greater hold upon him with every few rods of advance. Nothing in +the world would have induced him to make known his suspicion, but it +continued to grow. + +Suddenly Captain Dawson stopped. As he looked around his face was +agitated. + +"Boys," said he, "there's something infernally strange about this." + +Vose Adams saw that his own suspicion had entered the mind of their +leader, but the countenance of the guide was as blank as that of a +child. + +"It's the worst tramp I ever had," remarked the parson, removing his +hat and mopping his forehead. + +"If there's any harder work," added Ruggles, "count me out." + +Captain Dawson looked angrily at Vose. + +"Do you know the meaning of this?" + +Vose shook his head and prevaricated still further by adding: + +"Nor what you're driving at either." + +"That dog has misled us; instead of conducting us to the couple he has +taken us away from them." + +It was true and every one of the four knew it. The suspicion of the +guide had become certainty. Was it instinct or reason that controlled +the animal? Who shall draw the line in explaining many of the actions +of the brute creation? + +Vose Adams was silent a moment and then emitted a low whistle. + +"Hang me, if I don't b'leve you're right, captain. I've been told that +that dog knowed more than a good many folks and there ain't no doubt +of it now." + +The disgusted parson exclaimed: + +"Why didn't one of us think of that? The idea of all four being fooled +by a dog!" + +"It wouldn't have been so bad if there had been two dogs," said +Ruggles, who saw the grim humor of the thing, "but it is tough to have +our eyes shet by only one." + +It was impossible for Vose Adams wholly to restrain all evidence of +his pleasure. When in the depths of despair, he was awakened to the +fact that the canine had performed one of the most brilliant exploits +conceivable. He could not help smiling. The captain was in an ugly +mood and in a threatening voice asked: + +"Did you have anything to do with this?" + +"Certainly; me and Timon fixed up the thing afore he left Dead Man's +Gulch; it took us a good while; the dog didn't think it would work, +but I stuck to it and finally he promised to have a try at it; +certainly we fixed it up atween us." + +The guide did a clever thing in thus turning the fantastic belief of +the captain into ridicule. Had he protested, he might have added to +the suspicion against himself. It was further in his favor that it was +known he had never had much to do with Timon. As already related, the +brute had few friends among the miners and Vose Adams never sought his +acquaintance. + +Nevertheless, it was impossible to brush out of sight one significant +fact,--the long absence of Adams the day before. But for the last +occurrence, nothing would have been thought of the former, but it was +clear that Captain Dawson had begun to entertain doubts of the loyalty +of his guide. + +"He'll never repeat his trick anyway," exclaimed the officer, facing +about and bringing his rifle to his shoulder. But his intention of +shooting Timon was frustrated, for the brute was nowhere in sight. +Unreasonable as it might sound, it looked as if he suspected how +things would turn out and took the occasion to place himself beyond +danger from the indignant men. + +"In the army we shoot spies and traitors," remarked the captain, so +angered by his repeated disappointments that he could not govern his +feelings. In giving expression to the remark, the officer made a +serious mistake, which he saw the moment the words left his lips. He +was suspicious of Vose Adams, but he should have concealed all +evidence of it, until the proof appeared. When that took place, he +would shoot the man with no more hesitation that he would have shot +the dog. But he had now put Vose on his guard and the difficulty of +detecting him was increased tenfold. + +As if to obliterate the memory of his words, the captain said in the +most matter of fact tone he could assume: + +"The mistake we made has taken us from the right spot; they must have +been near the rocks where Timon showed himself." + +"No doubt," said the parson, "and were watching us." + +"The one thing to do is to retrace our steps; perhaps the two may be +fools enough," bitterly added the captain, "to wait for us, since that +seems to be the only way by which we shall ever come up with them." + +A single short bark startled them. The captain wheeled like a flash +with his gun at his shoulder. But Timon was too cunning to show +himself. It is not improbable that he meant the expression for a note +of triumph over his inimitable exploit, while such a wonderful dog was +too wise to run any risk of punishment from his indignant victims. + +The hunter is sustained against fatigue by the excitement of the +chase; and, despite the severe labor of following the canine guide, +all four men stood it far better than the return to the spot where the +pursuit began. Angered, chagrined and in desperate mood, even the grim +leader was forced occasionally to stop and rest. Nearly two hours +passed before they descried the familiar pile of rocks in their +front. + +"That's the spot," he said, "but what good can it do us? It's a wonder +if they have not run off with our horses; it would be a fitting climax +to this folly." + +It was the secret wish of Adams, from the moment of discovering the +cleverness of Timon, that this very thing should be done. If +Lieutenant Russell took such a precaution, it could not fail to be +effective. Returning to the main trail after his pursuers were out of +the way, he would have an open path through the mountains to +Sacramento. If the lameness of Nellie's pony continued, her saddle +could be transferred to one of the other horses, and, leading or +driving the remainder of the animals, the four men would soon find +their task a hopeless one. + +But the young officer was restrained from such action by a certain +chivalry that governed all his actions. He could not consent to take +so unfair an advantage of an enemy, even though the fate of one dearer +than his own life was at stake. And yet it must be confessed that the +lieutenant drew it very fine. His course did not win the respect of +his enemies, who were inclined to attribute it to stupidity, rather +than courtesy. + +But no time was to be lost in deciding their line of action. + +"I think we'd better make a hunt among them rocks," suggested Wade +Ruggles. + +The others studied them with as much interest as if it were the first +time they had been seen. If the couple had taken refuge among the +caverns and crevices of this immense pile of stone, they must have +left their animals on the ground below where they could be readily +discovered. + +"We may as well have a look," remarked the captain; "what do you +think, Vose?" + +"I don't think anything; don't ask me any questions." + +He never looked more angry. He had not forgotten the slur of the +captain and had spirit enough to resent it. Dawson was too proud to +apologize and he could not do so, when his suspicion of the fellow's +loyalty was as strong as ever. On the contrary, having made his +blunder, the officer drove the arrow home. + +"I am sorry you didn't take that resolution in the first place; it +would have been better for all of us, though not so good for those we +are looking for." + +The captain and Ruggles now turned to the right, while the other two +took the opposite direction. They were thus enabled, after more hard +work, practically to pass around the mass of rocks, returning to their +starting point, without having discovered any traces of man, woman or +their animals. On the journey, Adams and the parson exchanged few +words, but it was different with the other couple. + +"What do you think of his long absence yesterday?" asked the captain. + +"It has a bad look,--worse than I thought when he come back." + +"Why so?" + +"I take it with the action of that dog. You didn't fail to notice that +Timon took us along the exact route that Vose was leadin' us over and +we found out that it was the wrong one." + +"And you believe he purposely misled us?" + +"It's almost sartin." + +"Suppose it _was_ certain, Wade?" + +"I'd shoot him quicker'n lightning." + +"So would I." + +"But you see we can't be sartin just yit; if Vose is in that kind of +bus'ness, he'll give himself away purty soon." + +"I agree with you and we'll watch him." + +Thus was the momentous bargain made. + +When the four came together once more, the parson remarked: + +"It's my belief that after we were well out of the way, the two went +down the gorge to the main trail and are now making haste to +Sacramento." + +The exact line of action that had been agreed upon! Vose Adams was +firmly convinced that this was the very thing that had taken place and +the utmost he could do was to prevent the horsemen from acting on that +theory until the fugitives were given opportunity to pass beyond +reach. + +Except for the words of Captain Dawson, the guide would have striven +to delay the pursuit, but he dared not attempt it after the warning. +Ignoring the captain, he said to Felix Brush: + +"It's more'n likely you're right, parson; that would have been the +most nat'ral thing for them to do and it's no use of our standing here +and talking, when every minute counts." + +"We can quickly learn the truth; it isn't far to the gorge, where they +must have left traces; leave the horses here, for we can soon return +for them if it proves necessary." + +Forgetting their fatigue, the four walked back over their own trail. +The forenoon was well advanced, and, by this time, the fugitives were +probably a good way off. Adams was relieved because of this action, +for it promised more delay. + +Reaching the beginning of the gorge, all began an examination of the +ground, for the imprints of the horses' feet were plainly seen. To the +amazement of every one, each hoof pointed upward, that is away from +the caņon. There was no evidence that any quadruped had descended the +slope. All had gone up. Vose Adams was in despair. + +"They have let their only chance go by," he bitterly reflected; "it's +too late now to save them!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AT BAY + + +Lieutenant Russell held a long consultation with Nellie Dawson, after +the departure of Vose Adams. His first intention had been to press +their flight with all possible vigor, and, as will be recalled, Adams +carried away that belief with him. + +"My view of matters has undergone a change," he said after a time to +his companion, who looked up in his face for an explanation. + +"Instead of waiting until we reach Sacramento for a meeting with your +father, I believe it will be much better to have it as soon as +possible." + +"Why?" she asked, though curious to say, she had been wavering for +some time in her belief. + +"It will add to rather than lessen his anger, if he is obliged to +follow us that far, and the fact that he is in a city instead of the +mountains will not decrease his determination to do me injury." + +"What about those who are with him?" + +"Your father is the only one to be considered. My proposal is that we +wait here till to-morrow morning until they come up; what is your +opinion?" + +"I believe you are right; let us do so; I don't think father will cast +me off when I go to him." + +The plan was carried out, though the young man felt more misgiving +than his companion suspected. He remained on guard a part of the +night, sharing the duty with Timon, whose almost human intelligence +made him as reliable as a trained scout himself. + +Straight to the spot came the pursuers soon after daylight, when the +horses were saddled and bridled. Nellie was in a state of feverish +expectancy. When she caught sight of her father, leading the others, +she joyfully uttered his name and ran toward him with outstretched +arms. + +"Father, my own father, are you not glad to see your Nellie?" + +Still holding his Winchester half-raised, he glanced sternly at her +and replied: + +"Come no nearer; you are no daughter of mine!" + +She stopped as if shot, and with hands still outstretched stood +motionless, with her eyes fixed yearningly upon him. She was like a +marble statue, without the breath of life in her body. All were +silent. Even Timon looked from one to another without moving. The +whole thing was beyond his comprehension. + +Then the dreadful truth seemed to force itself upon the consciousness +of the girl, who staggered backward to the nearest boulder, upon which +she sank and covered her face with her hands. She did not weep, for +her grief was too deep. + +And who shall picture the sorrow that wrenched the heart strings of +the parent? There was a strange look on his face and his massive frame +trembled. But he quickly recovered his self-poise, and looking away +from his child, fixed his eyes upon Lieutenant Russell. + +"It is with _you_ that I have to settle." + +"I am ready." + +The young officer was standing beside his pony, with one arm resting +on the saddle, across which his rifle was supported, while the other +hand lay idly on his hip, and his body was borne upon one foot. His +pose was one of negligence, as if he and his animal had taken position +before the camera, and the world contained no such thing as hatred and +enmity. He looked calmly into the angered countenance, while he waited +for the next words of the man who was impatient to send a bullet +through his heart. + +Wade Ruggles and Felix Brush would have been glad of the privilege of +doing this, but they felt that for the time they were out of it. The +right of calling Lieutenant Russell to account lay with the father of +Nellie. They had nothing to do or say until that tragedy was ended, +and they stood apart, silent, grim and watchful of everything. + +The coolness of the young man disconcerted the captain for the +moment. Feeling it unnecessary to hold his weapon, he lowered the +point, but, never once removing his eyes from the face of the other, +said: + +"I will give you the same chance as myself for your life; though you +do not deserve to live, it shall never be said I took any advantage +over you. Each of us has a revolver and knows how to use it; you may +pace off the distance for yourself, but make it short." + +"Captain, I decline to fight you," replied Lieutenant Russell, without +a change of pose and in his usual voice. + +"Why?" demanded the other. + +"You have saved my life on the battle field; we have been comrades; we +have drank from the same canteen; shoot me if you wish; I will keep +the position I now hold and you may stand where you are; you have your +Winchester in your hands; you have but to raise it and it will be all +over in a twinkling, but nothing that you can say or do will induce me +to harm one of your gray hairs." + +This reply was unexpected to all, but it served if possible to +intensify the wrath of Captain Dawson. He shook with tempestuous rage, +and it was several seconds before he could command his voice. Ruggles, +Brush and Adams did not stir or whisper a word to one another. The +white-faced Nellie remained seated on the boulder, but she lowered her +hands and stared at the two, as if she could not comprehend it all. +Once she made a motion to rise, but sank back and stared with a +fixidity of gaze that went to the hearts of the three spectators. + +"You are a sneaking scoundrel to use those words," said Captain +Dawson, when able to command his voice; "all the past is wiped out +except that of the last two days; I shall shoot you for stealing my +child from me." + +The lieutenant looked calmly into the countenance of the man, and, +lowering his tones almost to a whisper, that was perfectly audible to +all, replied: + +"I am at your disposal." + +From the moment Captain Dawson learned of the flight of his child, he +had been eager for but one thing,--the opportunity to draw bead on the +miscreant, without giving him an instant to prepare for death. That +opportunity was his but he hesitated. Something that he could not +explain, but which incensed him, held his hand motionless. + +But perhaps the end would have been the same, when he rallied from the +momentary struggle, had not his daughter awakened from the daze that +had held her mute and motionless. Like Pocahontas, she sprang forward, +with arms again outstretched, and with a faint shriek, flung them +about the form of her lover. + +"Shoot father, if you will, but you shall kill me too!" + +Felix Brush shivered and turning away his head, muttered in a broken +voice: + +"My God, Wade! I can't stand this!" + +Ruggles attempted to reply, but the words choked in his throat. Still +he and Adams kept their eyes upon the three before them. Ruggles was +on the point of interfering when Nellie Dawson averted the necessity. + +Lieutenant Russell was disconcerted. His lip quivered, and, with +infinite tenderness, he sought to loosen the arms that entwined him, +but she would not permit it. + +"No, no, no! He shall not part us! Let him slay us both! Do not +repulse me! I will die with you!" + +The situation of Captain Dawson was awful. He was scarcely himself. +The dainty form of his child could not fully shield the athletic +figure of Lieutenant Russell, strive as much as she might, and the +opening for the threatened shot was as clear as ever. Whether he would +have persisted in his intention can never be known, for at that +juncture the startling incidents were succeeded by one still more +startling and unexpected. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NO BRAVER DEED EVER WAS DONE + + +The hearts of two of the party were wrung as never before. Wade +Ruggles and Felix Brush saw with noonday clearness the dreadful +mistake they had made in the past in hoping to win the heart of the +maiden who had declared that if her beloved was to die she would die +with him. It was contrary to nature and the laws of God, and it was +characteristic of each that he felt a thrill of gratitude over the +belief that no person suspected his secret. Both would have died +rather than allow it ever to become known. + +With this awakening came a transformation of feeling toward the +couple. They sympathized with Lieutenant Russell, but more than all, +they pitied her whose soul was distraught with grief. They had never +before seen her in the agony of distress and neither could stand it. + +"Brush," whispered Ruggles, "this must stop." + +"_Hold!_" called Brush in a loud voice, striding commandingly forward +with his arm upraised; "I have something to say!" + +There was a majesty and an impressiveness of mien like that of the +Hebrew prophet who hushed the tempest. Captain Dawson, without moving +body or limb, turned and glared at the intruder; Ruggles kept his +position; Nellie Dawson, with arms still clasping the neck of her +betrothed, looked over her shoulder at her old friend; Lieutenant +Russell reached up so as to hold the wrists of the girl, while still +retaining his grip upon his rifle and fixed his eyes upon the tall, +gaunt figure that halted between him and Captain Dawson and a little +to one side of him. + +"Lieutenant Frederic Russell, do you love Nellie Dawson?" was the +astounding question that fell from the lips of Brush. + +"Aye, more than my life," was the prompt response. + +"And you have started for Sacramento with the purpose of making her +your wife?" + +"That was my resolve with the help of heaven." + +"And, Nellie, you agreed to this?" + +"Yes, yes; we shall not be parted in life or death." + +"Such being your feelings," continued Felix Brush, in the same loud, +clear tones, "I pronounce you man and wife, and whom God hath joined +together let not man put asunder!" + +It was a thunderclap. No one moved or spoke for a full minute. Felix +Brush was the only one who seemed to retain command of his senses. +Stepping forward, with a strange smile on his seamed countenance, he +extended his hand to the groom. + +"Allow me to congratulate you, lieutenant; and, Nellie, I don't think +you will deny me my fee." + +With which he bent over and tenderly kissed her. + +"O, Mr. Brush, are we really married?" she asked in a faint, wild +voice. + +"As legally as if it were done by the archbishop of Canterbury and +if--" + +But he got no further, for her arms were transferred from the neck of +her husband to those of the parson, whom she smothered with her +caresses. + +"Bless your heart! You are the nicest, best, sweetest, loveliest man +that ever lived,--excepting Fred and father--" + +"And _me_," added Wade Ruggles, stepping forward. + +"Yes, and you, you great big angel," she replied, bestowing an equally +warm embrace upon him. + +The two rugged fellows had won the greatest victory that can be +achieved by man, for they had conquered themselves. When the great +light broke in upon their consciousness, each resolved to let the dead +past bury its dead and to face the future like the manly heroes they +were. + +And no braver deed ever was done. + +Poor Captain Dawson! For a time he believed he was dreaming. Then, +when he grasped the meaning of it all, his Winchester dropped from +his nerveless grasp and he staggered and would have fallen, had not +Lieutenant Russell leaped forward and caught him in his arms. He +helped him to the boulder from which Nellie had risen and then he +collapsed utterly. The soldier who had faced unmoved the hell blast of +battle had fainted for the first time in his life. + +Nellie ran to the brook a few paces away, and catching some of the +water in the hollow of her hand darted back and flung it into his +face. + +"There, dear father; it is all right; rouse yourself; O, Mr. Brush, +suppose he is dead!" she exclaimed, turning terrifiedly toward him. + +"He is as likely to die as you are, and you don't look just now as if +you mean to put on wings and fly away." + +In a few minutes the veteran revived and looked confusedly around him. +He seemed unable to comprehend what it all meant and his gaze wandered +in a dazed way from one countenance to another without speaking. +Nellie was still caressing him, while Lieutenant Russell stood back a +couple of steps, looking pityingly into the face of the man who had +suffered so much. + +Felix Brush was the hero of the occasion. Turning to the group, he +said: + +"Leftenant, you and Nellie and Ruggles and Vose move off for a short +distance and leave him with me for a little while." + +Understanding his purpose the three withdrew, and the two men were +left alone. The captain instantly roused himself. + +"What does all this mean, Brush?" + +"It means that you and Ruggles and I have been the three infernalist +fools that ever pretended to have sense." + +"How?" + +"How? In every way conceivable. Wade and I, as we told you, saw that +those two were in love with each other; instead of persuading you to +consent, we have helped you to prevent it. I must say, captain, that +though Wade and I played the idiot, I think the championship belongs +to you." + +"I begin to suspect it." + +"There's no doubt of it." + +"But, you see, parson, I had never thought of anything like this." + +"Which goes to prove the truth of what I have just said. If you hadn't +been blind you would have seen it." + +"I got the belief into my head that his intentions were not honorable +toward Nellie." + +"You never made a greater mistake; Lieutenant Russell is the soul of +honor; heaven intended him for the husband of Nellie, and we were +flying in the face of Providence when we tried to prevent it." + +"I suppose it is all right; but how is it possible for a man to make +such a consummate ass of himself?" + +"You have just given a demonstration of how it is done, Wade and I +adding material help in the demonstration." + +The captain looked to the ground in deep thought. When he raised his +eyes there was an odd twinkle in them. + +"I say, parson, wasn't that a rather cheeky performance of yours, when +you made them man and wife?" + +"The circumstances warranted it. There's no saying what might have +happened, if it had been deferred for only a few minutes." + +"True," replied the veteran thoughtfully; "it begins to look as if the +hand of Providence was in it." + +"It is in everything that occurs in this life. It was in your coming +to New Constantinople; in the blessed influence of your child upon +that barbarous community; in the impulse that led you to bring +Lieutenant Russell to us, and now comes the crowning Providence of all +in their marriage." + +"Parson, you ain't such a poor preacher after all." + +"Perhaps I can preach a little, but my practice has been away off, +though I hope to get back one of these days to where I was, but--" + +He suddenly turned and beckoned to his friends to join them. They +came smilingly forward, for they suspected what it meant. + +Captain Dawson rose to his feet, and, without speaking extended his +single arm toward his child. With a glad cry she flew into his embrace +and pillowed her head on his breast. No one spoke, but there was not a +dry eye among the spectators, while the silent embrace lasted. + +Finally the daughter was released and then the captain reached his +hand toward his son-in-law, who eagerly stepped forward and grasped +it. + +"Yes, lieutenant, we have drunk from the same canteen," he said, "and +now let's all go home." + +And it was accordingly so done. + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Waif of the Mountains, by Edward S. 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Ellis.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; text-indent: 0; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + + .container {width:100%; height:100px;} + blockquote {display: block; margin: .75em 5%; font-size: 90%;} + div.box {border:none; padding:10px; margin:4px auto; width:320px;} + h1 {font-size:1.4em;} + h1,h2,h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + h2 {font-size:1.2em;} + h3 {font-size:1.0em;} + hr.p10 {border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width: 10%;} + p.tp {font-size:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:center;} + + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + .chsp {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center; width: auto;} + .figtag {height: 1px;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smcaplc {text-transform: lowercase; font-variant: small-caps;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + hr.tb {border: none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width: 33%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;} + hr.toprule {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + p.cg {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: left; width: 101%;} + p.ralign {text-align: right !important;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Waif of the Mountains, by Edward S. Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Waif of the Mountains + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 15, 2009 [EBook #29693] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/f0001-img.jpg' alt='' title='' width='369' height='570' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +SHE STARED BEWILDERED INTO THE SHAGGY FACES AROUND HER.––PAGE 21.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class="container"> +<div class="box"> +<p style='text-align:left; font-size:2.2em;margin-bottom:0;'>A WAIF OF THE</p> +<p style='text-align:right; font-size:2.2em;margin-top:0;'>MOUNTAINS</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;margin-top:70px;'>BY</p> +<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:40px;'>EDWARD S. ELLIS</p> + +<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;'>AUTHOR OF “UP THE TAPAJOS,” “FROM THE THROTTLE TO<br />THE PRESIDENT’S CHAIR,” “THE LAND<br />OF WONDERS,” ETC.</p> + +<div style='margin:60px auto; text-align:center;'> +<img alt='emblem' src='images/f0002-img.png' /> +</div> + +<p class='tp' >CHICAGO</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;'>GEO. M. HILL CO.</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-variant:small-caps;'>Publishers</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;margin-top:40px;margin-bottom:40px;'>COPYRIGHT, 1900,<br />BY<br />THE MERSHON COMPANY</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h1>A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS</h1> +<div class='chsp' style='padding-top:0'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_AT_NEW_CONSTANTINOPLE' id='CHAPTER_I_AT_NEW_CONSTANTINOPLE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>AT NEW CONSTANTINOPLE</h3> +</div> +<p>IT had been snowing hard for twenty-four hours at +Dead Man’s Gulch. Beginning with a few feathery +particles, they had steadily increased in number until +the biting air was filled with billions of snowflakes, +which whirled and eddied in the gale that howled +through the gorges and cañons of the Sierras. It was +still snowing with no sign of cessation, and the blizzard +blanketed the earth to the depth of several feet, filling +up the treacherous hollows, caverns and abysses and +making travel almost impossible for man or animal.</p> +<p>The shanties of the miners in Dead Man’s Gulch +were just eleven in number. They were strung along +the eastern side of the gorge and at an altitude of two +or three hundred feet from the bed of the pass or cañon. +The site protruded in the form of a table-land, offering +a secure foundation for the structures, which were thus +elevated sufficiently to be beyond reach of the terrific +torrents that sometimes rushed through the ravine during +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +the melting of the snow in the spring, or after one +of those fierce cloud-bursts that give scarcely a minute’s +warning of their coming.</p> +<p>The diggings were in the mountain side at varying +distances. The success in mining had been only moderate, +although several promising finds raised hopes. +The population numbered precisely thirty men, representing +all quarters of the Union, while five came from +Europe. The majority were shaggy, bronzed adventurers, +the variety being almost as great as the numbers. +Some had been clerks, several were college graduates, +a number were the sons of wealthy parents, and +one was a full-fledged parson, while there was a certain +percentage who had left their homes to escape the grip +of the offended law.</p> +<p>With that yearning for picturesqueness which is a +peculiar trait of Americans, the miners felt that when +their settlement had attained the dignity of nearly a +dozen dwellings, it was entitled to an appropriate name. +The gorge, which seemed to have been gouged out of +the solid mass of boulders and rocks, when the mountains +were split apart in the remote past, was known +from the first by the title already given, which also +clung to the diggings themselves.</p> +<p>The single saloon presided over by Max Ortigies, +was the Heavenly Bower,––so <i>that</i> point was settled, +but when it came to naming the settlement itself, the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +difficulties were so numerous that days and weeks +passed without an agreement being reached. No matter +how striking and expressive the title offered by one +man, the majority promptly protested. It was too sulphurous, +or too insipid or it lacked in that nebulous +characteristic which may be defined as true Americanism. +It looked as if the problem would never be solved, +when Landlord Ortigies, taking the bull by the horns, +appointed a committee of three to select a name, the +others pledging themselves to accept whatever the committee +submitted.</p> +<p>But the mischief was to pay when on the night of the +blizzard the committee met at the Heavenly Bower to +make their report. The chairman insisted upon “E +Pluribus Unum,” the second member’s favorite was +“Murderer’s Holler,” while the third would not listen +to anything except “Wolf Eye,” and each was immovably +set in his convictions.</p> +<p>Budge Isham was not a member of the committee, +but he was known as a college graduate. From his seat +on an overturned box at the rear of the room, where he +was smoking a pipe, he asked troublesome questions +and succeeded in arraying the committeemen so fiercely +against one another that each was eager to vote, in the +event of failing to carry his own point, in favor of any +name objectionable to the rest.</p> +<p>The chairman as stated favored the patriotic name +“E Pluribus Unum,” and boldly announced the fact.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span></div> +<p>“It has a lofty sound,” blandly remarked Isham; +“will the chairman be good enough to translate it for +us? In other words, what does ‘E Pluribus Unum’ +mean?”</p> +<p>“Why,” replied the chairman with scorn in his manner; +“everybody oughter know it means, ‘Hurrah +for the red, white and blue.’”</p> +<p>“Thank you,” returned Isham, puffing at his pipe.</p> +<p>Vose Adams, the second committeeman, felt it his +duty to explain his position.</p> +<p>“The trouble with that outlandish name is in the fust +place that it has three words and consequently it’s too +much to manage. Whoever heard of a town with three +handles to its name? Then it’s foreign. When I was in +college (several disrespectful sniffs which caused the +speaker to stop and glare around in quest of the offenders); +I say when I was in college and studying +Greek and Chinese and Russian, I larned that that +name was made up of all three of them languages. I +b’leve in America for the Americans, and if we can’t +find a name that’s in the American language, why let’s +wait till we can.”</p> +<p>This sentiment was delivered with such dramatic +force that several of the miners nodded their heads in +approval. It was an appeal to the patriotic side of their +nature––which was quick to respond.</p> +<p>“Mr. Chairman,” said Budge Isham, addressing the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +landlord, who, by general consent, was the presiding +officer at these disputations, and who like the others +failed to see the quiet amusement the educated man was +extracting, “if it is agreeable to Mr. Adams, to whose +eloquent speech we have listened with much edification, +I would like him to give us his reasons for calling our +handsome town ‘Murderers’ Hollow.’”</p> +<p>The gentleman appealed to rose to his feet. Turning +toward the man who had called upon him, he gave him +a look which ought to have made him sink to the floor +with mortification, preliminary to saying with polished +irony:</p> +<p>“If the gentleman had paid attention as he oughter, +he would have obsarved that I said ‘Murderer’s Holler,’ +not ‘Murderers’ <i>Hollow</i>.’ I would advise him not +to forget that he ain’t the only man in this place that +has received a college eddycation. Now as to the name: +it proclaims our stern virtue and love for law.”</p> +<p>The orator paused, but the wondering expression of +the bronzed faces turned toward him showed that he +would have to descend to particulars.</p> +<p>“When violators of the law hear that name, what +does it say to them? It says that if any murderer shows +his face in this place, he will receive such rough handling +that he will have to holler ‘enough,’ and will be +glad to get out––I don’t see what there is to laugh at!” +exclaimed Vose angrily, looking threateningly around +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span> +again with his fists clenched and his gaze fixed specially +upon the grinning Budge Isham.</p> +<p>“There’s some sense in what Vose says, which ain’t +often the case,” remarked Ike Hoe, the other member +of the committee, “but the trouble will be that when +folks hear of the name, they won’t think to give it the +meanin’ that he gives it. They’ll conclude that this +place is the home of murderers, and, if it keeps on, +bime by of hoss thieves. If it warn’t for that danger, I +might go in for backing up Vose with his name, but as +it stands it won’t do.”</p> +<p>The argument of Ike had produced its effect. There +was little sympathy in the first place for the title, and +that little was destroyed by the words of Ike, who proceeded +to plead for his own choice.</p> +<p>“Now as to ‘Wolf Eye.’ In the first place, it is short +and easy to say. There ain’t any slur in the name, that +might offend a new comer, who would think the ‘Murderer’s +Holler’ contained ungentlemanly allusions to +his past. It is warning, too, that the place has got an +eye on everybody and has teeth as sharp as a wolf. +Then there is poetry in the name. Gentlemen,” added +Ike in a burst of enthusiasm, “we oughter go in for +poetry. How can any one live in such a glorious country +as this with the towering kenyons around him, with +the mountains thousands of feet deep, with the grand +sun kissin’ the western tips in the morning and sinking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +to rest at night in the east,––with the snow storms in +summer and the blazing heat in winter––with the +glo–––”</p> +<p>“Hold on! hold on!” called Budge Isham, rising +solemnly to his feet, with hands uplifted in protest; “if +Ike doesn’t stop, he’ll have us all standing on our heads. +There’s a brand of liquor down in Sacramento called +‘Wolf Eye;’ I don’t make any charges, gentlemen, +against my friend Ike, but you can draw your inferences. +Wolf Eye won’t do.”</p> +<p>A general laugh greeted this sally, seeing which the +indignant Ike turned the tables upon Budge with an +admirable piece of sarcasm.</p> +<p>“Seeing as how all of us together don’t know ’nough +to git up a name that will suit, I move that the college +eddycated gentleman supplies the brains and does it +himself.”</p> +<p>The crushing irony of this remark was spoiled by +Budge accepting it in all seriousness. He bowed his +head and gracefully thanked the satirical Vose.</p> +<p>“I shall be very glad to do so. The committee meant +well enough, but the trouble was that there were too +many fools on it–––”</p> +<p>At this point Wade Ruggles sprang to his feet, with +the fierce question:</p> +<p>“Does the gentleman refer to <i>me</i>?”</p> +<p>His hand was at his hip on the butt of his revolver +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +and matters looked squally, but the tactful Budge +quelled the rising storm with Chesterfieldian grace. +Waving his hand and bowing, he said:</p> +<p>“I did not intend the remotest reference to you.”</p> +<p>Vose Adams came up promptly.</p> +<p>“Then it’s <i>me</i> and I’m ready to make any man eat +his words.”</p> +<p>“My good friend is mistaken; nothing could induce +me to apply such a term to him; I hold him in too high +esteem.”</p> +<p>Since this left Ike Hoe as the only remaining member, +he began to show signs of explosion, perceiving +which the incomprehensible Budge proceeded to mollify +him.</p> +<p>“And Ike knows that I would be the last person in +the world to slur a gentleman from whom I as well as +the others have received so much instruction.”</p> +<p>Ike was mystified. He looked at the other members +of the committee and then into the faces of the group. +He couldn’t make it out.</p> +<p>“If it’s all the same, Mr. Chairman, since the gentleman +has said there was too many fools on the committee, +and has just explained that he didn’t mean any one +of us three, I’ll be obliged if he’ll explain who in thunder +he did mean.”</p> +<p>This sounded unanswerable, but the cunning Budge +was equal to the occasion.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<p>“It gives me pleasure to answer the question of the +gentleman: my remark was made in a Pickwickian +sense.”</p> +<p>He leaned forward with a beaming smile, as if his explanation +left nothing to be added. No one understood +to what he referred, but all were too proud to admit +the fact. There was a general nodding of heads, and +Ike, with the manner of a man who magnanimously accepts +the humble apology of him whom he has worsted, +leaned back on his stool and audibly remarked:</p> +<p>“That makes it all right.”</p> +<p>Budge Isham resumed his seat, when he was reminded +that he was expected to submit a name for the +new settlement.</p> +<p>“I beg pardon,” he said, rising again, “it is a fact +known to this highly intelligent assemblage, that every +city of prominence in Europe has from one to forty +namesakes in this country. There is one exception, however; +doubtless all know to what city I refer.”</p> +<p>In response to his inquiring looks, the group tried to +appear as if the name was familiar to them, but no one +spoke.</p> +<p>“It is hardly necessary for me to mention the city, +but I may say it is Constantinople.”</p> +<p>A contemptuous sniff greeted this proposal.</p> +<p>“That’s the worst yet,” said Wade Ruggles, drawing +a match along the thigh of his trousers to relight +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +his pipe, which had gone out during the excitement; +“the man that insults this party with such a proposition, +ought to be run out of the place.”</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with it?” demanded Budge.</p> +<p>“It’s too long in the fust place,” commented Ike +Hoe; “it bothers a man to git his mouth around it and +it hain’t any music, like the other names such as Starvation +Kenyon, Hangman’s Noose, Blizzard Gorge and +the rest. I stick to mine as the purtiest of all.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?”</p> +<p>“‘Blazes,’ short and sweet and innercent like.”</p> +<p>Landlord Ortigies was leaning with both elbows on +the bar. The new name struck him favorably.</p> +<p>“I’m inclined to agree with Budge,” he said, “cause +there hain’t any other place that’s hit onto it. All of +them names that you chaps have tried to spring onto us, +have been used in other places, or at least some part of +the names, but, as Budge has observed, no galoot has +scooped ‘Constantinople.’”</p> +<p>“’Cause no one ain’t fool enough,” observed Ike +Hoe, who noted the drift of the sentiment.</p> +<p>“But they’ll pounce onto it powerful quick if we +don’t grab it while it’s passin’; it’s a good long name, +and what if it does make a chap sling the muscles of his +jaw to warble it? All the better; it’ll make him think +well of his town, which I prophesy is going to be the +emporium of the West.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></div> +<p>“Let’s see,” growled Wade Ruggles, “Constantinople +is in Ireland isn’t it?”</p> +<p>“Where’s your eddycation?” sneered Ike Vose; +“it’s the oldest town in Wales.”</p> +<p>Landlord Ortigies raised his head and filled the room +with his genial laughter.</p> +<p>“If there was anything I was strong on when I led +my class at the Squankum High School it was astronermy; +I was never catched in locating places.”</p> +<p>“If you know so much,” remarked Ruggles, “you’ll +let us know something ’bout that town which I scorn +to name.”</p> +<p>“I’m allers ready to enlighten ign’rance, though I’ve +never visited Constantinople, which stands on the top +of the Himalaya Mountains, in the southern part of +Iceland.”</p> +<p>“That’s very good,” said Budge Isham, who with +his usual tact maneuvered to keep the ally he had +gained, “but the Constantinople I have in mind is in +Turkey, which is such a goodly sized country that it +straddles from Europe to Asia.”</p> +<p>“Which the same I suppose means to imply that this +ere Constantinople will do likewise similar.”</p> +<p>“No doubt that’s what it’ll do in time,” assented the +landlord.</p> +<p>“I beg to offer an amendment to my own motion,” +continued the oily Budge; “when the boom strikes this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +town, as it is bound soon to do, and it rivals in size the +famous city on the other side of the Atlantic, there +should be something to distinguish the two. We have +no wish to rob any other place of the honors it has +taken centuries to gain; so, while we reserve the principal +name, I propose that we distinguish it from the old +city by prefixing the word ‘New.’”</p> +<p>“You mean that this town shall be ‘New Constantinople?’” +was the inquiring remark of the landlord.</p> +<p>“Precisely; and I now make the motion that that be +our name.”</p> +<p>There were seventeen persons present and it looked +as if a decision was inevitable. The landlord was +shrewd. His first act was to invite all to drink at his +expense, after which he made each pledge himself to +abide by the decision, whatever it might be. These preliminaries +being arranged, a show of hands was called +for. The vote was eight for and eight against the new +name.</p> +<p>“That’s a tie,” commented the landlord from behind +his immense beard; “and therefore the question ain’t +settled.”</p> +<p>“It’s easy ’nough to settle it,” said Ike Hoe.</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“Take another vote.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see how that’ll do it, onless some one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +changes his mind; but again, gentlemen: all who favor +the new name, raise their right hands.”</p> +<p>Eight horny palms were elevated in air, while the +same number were displayed in the negative. The landlord +looked troubled.</p> +<p>“We must keep it up till some one weakens,” observed +Wade Ruggles.</p> +<p>The host scanned the earnest faces in front of him.</p> +<p>“Which of you gentlemen will promise to weaken +if we keep this thing up for half the night?”</p> +<p>“I’ll stay here a week,” was the reply of Vose +Adams, while the general nodding of heads showed +that he echoed the sentiments of the others. The landlord +met the crisis with becoming dignity.</p> +<p>“Gentlemen, when I was a member of Congress, all +questions that was tied was settled by the presiding officer +casting the deciding vote, and which as aforesaid +we don’t lay any claim to being higher than Congress, +I therefore, by virtue of the aforesaid right vested in +me, cast my vote in favor of this city being called New +Constantinople, which the same is on me again; gentlemen, +what will you have?”</p> +<p>It was a coup d’etat, the victory being clinched before +the opposition realized it. Ere the company had +fairly recovered from their bewilderment, Budge Isham +declared that the victory was really his, due to the good +sense and high toned chivalry of his friends, and he insisted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +upon doing the honors. He would accept no denial +and the engaging style in which he acquitted himself +of this duty restored good humor. Thus it was that +the little mining town of the Sierras in the days that are +gone received its title.</p> +<p>The Heavenly Bower consisted of two large apartments, +both on the ground floor. The one at the rear +was used by Landlord Ortigies for sleeping, eating and +partial storage purposes. When Vose Adams made his +quarterly visits to Sacramento, he was accompanied by +two mules. They were not necessary to take and bring +the mail, since the pocket of Adams’ great coat was +sufficient for that, but they carried down to Sacramento +several empty casks which came back filled, or +rather they were thus when the return journey was begun, +but to the dismay of the proprietor of the Heavenly +Bower, he found that they were barely two-thirds +full, when unloaded at his place. Vose explained that +the leakage was due to the roughness of the trail. Since +there seemed no other way of overcoming this, the +landlord sent an extra cask with the request to Vose +that he would confine his leakage to that and Vose +kindly obliged him.</p> +<p>The stuff thus provided for the Heavenly Bower was +generally in concentrated form, thereby permitting a +dilution which insured a full supply for the customers +who were afflicted with an eternal thirst.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></div> +<p>The bar room was of extensive proportions. Nearly +all of one side was occupied by the bar. Opposite was +the huge fireplace, and scattered around were a number +of stools, rickety chairs and strong boxes which served +equally well for seats.</p> +<p>The crackling fire, the genial warmth and good cheer +within the room were the more striking because of their +contrast with the howling storm without. The gale +roared around the corners of the rude but strong +structure, rattling against the massive door and the log +walls, spitting vicious gusts down the chimney and +flinging great drifts hither and yon with a fury that +threatened to send the building skurrying through the +snowy space.</p> +<p>“It’s the worst blizzard we ever had,” remarked +Wade Ruggles, after one of these violent outbursts; +“God pity any one that’s abroad to-night.”</p> +<p>“It reminds me of that zephyr last winter,” observed +Vose Adams, “when I was bringing your freight, +Max, from Sacramento.”</p> +<p>“I remember,” nodded the landlord; “you started +with two kegs and got here with about half a one; the +leakage was tremenjus on that trip.”</p> +<p>“True; the blizzards is always rough on Mountain +Dew, and sorter makes it shrink,” replied the unblushing +Vose.</p> +<p>“Can’t you stop the casks leaking so much,” inquired +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +Felix Brush, who had been a parson in Missouri, +and claimed that he had never been “unfrocked.”</p> +<p>The landlord solemnly swayed his head.</p> +<p>“Not as long as Vose has charge of the freight–––”</p> +<p>At that instant a dull but resounding thump was +heard on the roof overhead. It shook every log in the +structure, checked speech and caused each man to look +wonderingly at his neighbor.</p> +<p>“The mountain has fell on us!” exclaimed Ike Hoe +in a husky whisper.</p> +<p>“If it was the mountain,” said Budge Isham, slightly +raising his voice, as the courage of the party came +back; “none of us would be able to tell of it.”</p> +<p>“Then it’s a rock––well, I’m blessed! the thing is +moving!”</p> +<p>Something was certainly astir in the mass of snow +overhead.</p> +<p>“I guess it’s a angel that has lost its way,” submitted +Hoe.</p> +<p>“More likely it’s a grizzly b’ar that’s stumbled off +the rocks––”</p> +<p>But all these speculations were scattered to the winds +by the sound of a voice muffled and seemingly far away, +which came to them through the storm:</p> +<p>“<i>Helloa, the house</i>!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_WHAT_THE_BLIZZARD_BROUGHT_TO_NEW_CONSTANTINOPLE' id='CHAPTER_II_WHAT_THE_BLIZZARD_BROUGHT_TO_NEW_CONSTANTINOPLE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>WHAT THE BLIZZARD BROUGHT TO NEW CONSTANTINOPLE</h3> +</div> +<p>A moment after the hail was heard from the roof, +the muffled noise which accompanied it ceased. The +stranger groping about in the snowy gloom had stepped +off the roof into the huge drift outside the Heavenly +Bower, and a minute later, lifted the latch of the door +and pushed in among the astonished miners. They saw +the figure of a sturdy man holding something in his +arms, so wrapped round with blankets and coverings +that no one could tell its nature. He stamped the snow +from his boots, shook himself like a shaggy dog, then +walked heavily to the chair which Budge Isham placed +near the fire for him, and almost fell into it.</p> +<p>“Good evening, friends,” he said in a grave voice; +“It was no fault of mine that I tried at first to enter +by the roof.”</p> +<p>“When I built the Heavenly Bower,” replied Landlord +Ortigies; “I meant to place a door up there, but +there wasn’t anybody in New Constantinople with +enough sense to know how to do it. I ’spose you was +looking fur it, stranger.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></div> +<p>“No,” was the reply, “I wasn’t looking for anything; +I was just walking, walking through the storm, +not knowing or caring where I went. I can’t say how +far I came, but it must have been a number of miles. I +was still plodding on, when I set my foot on vacancy +and down I went.”</p> +<p>“Gracious! you fell nearly a hundred feet,” said +Parson Brush; “it was a wonderful providence that +saved you from being dashed to death.”</p> +<p>“The snow on the roof must be five or six feet deep,” +replied the stranger; “for it received me as if it were a +feather bed. I saw a glow from the top of your chimney +against the rocks and knew I was on the roof of a +house. I hardly felt jarred and groped my way off into +a lot more snow and here I am.”</p> +<p>The astonishment of the listeners did not make them +forget the laws of hospitality. Budge Isham looked significantly +at the landlord, but he had already drawn a +glass of spirits and was coming from behind the bar +with it.</p> +<p>“Stranger, swallow this; you look cold; you’re welcome +to the Heavenly Bower, whether you come +through the roof or down the chimbley.”</p> +<p>“Thank you; I’ll take the whiskey in a minute.”</p> +<p>And then feeling that he owed those who made him +so welcome some explanation of his coming among +them, the stranger said:</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></div> +<p>“My friends, my name is Maurice Dawson. About +two months ago, I left Independence, Missouri, with an +emigrant train for the Pacific coast. The elements, disease +and the Indians made such inroads upon us that +after a time only half a dozen families remained. As if +that wasn’t enough, the few survivors quarreled over +the course to follow, most of them aiming for a pass +through the mountains into Southern California, while +I, the greatest fool of them all, set out to find Dead +Man’s Gulch, of which I had heard from a party of +trappers. My canvas covered wagon, with a single +span of horses, contained all my worldly goods, and +my companions were my wife and little girl Nellie, only +three years old. Everything might have gone well but +for this blizzard, which jumbled up the points of the +compass and made traveling so difficult that after a +time it became impossible.”</p> +<p>All were listening with the closest interest, and every +heart was touched by the emotion of the man, which he +could not control for several minutes. No one interrupted, +and, feeling that his story was not quite completed, +he added:</p> +<p>“I fired my gun in the hope of attracting attention, +but fortunately for others I was the only one abroad. +By and by the horses stopped. They could draw the +wagon no further. They stood panting and exhausted +and soon lay down in the snow. I turned to speak to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +my wife, when I found she had been dead for some +minutes, the cold carrying her off as quietly as if she +were dropping asleep. Before she passed away, she +wrapped nearly all her clothing about Nellie, who was +cuddling beside her, so that really the mother, like the +noble woman she was, gave her life for the little one. +It was because Nellie was alive, that I jumped out of the +wagon and began floundering through the snow. I +ploughed blindly forward until providence guided me +to you.”</p> +<p>While uttering the last words, Maurice Dawson was +tenderly unwrapping the bundle in his arms. There +were many folds to draw away, but at last he reached +the treasure within, which was his Nellie, still sound +asleep.</p> +<p>If the miners were startled by the resounding thump +on the roof, they were now almost struck dumb with +amazement. They sat with open mouths, staring eyes +and for a minute no one spoke or stirred.</p> +<p>“God bless you, my Nellie,” murmured the father, +bending his head and touching his lips to the cool forehead; +“I had no hope of this when I left your dead +mother and started on my tramp through the snow.”</p> +<p>A general sigh went up from the group of awed +miners. Wade Ruggles, who had been leaning on the +bar, with his gaze fixed on that of the handsome +stranger, was the first to recover from the spell which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +held them all. Tiptoeing across the room, he paused in +front of the father and his child and stared, wondering +and speechless. Then one by one the others did the +same, until the whole company were grouped around +the man and child, each afraid to whisper, as if doing so +would dissolve the heavenly vision.</p> +<p>When the wrappings had been laid aside, and the little +one was placed upright, she stared bewildered into +the shaggy faces around her. Her big blue eyes were +open to their widest extent, the mass of golden curls +rippled about her shoulders and the fairy-like feet were +inclosed in thick, warm shoes and stockings. The dress +of a dull brown color and thick texture, fitted her tiny +frame perfectly and she formed a most winsome picture +of infantile beauty.</p> +<p>For fully five minutes all stared in silence at the marvelous +picture. As before, Wade Ruggles was the first +to come to himself, but when he spoke, it was in an +awed, hesitating whisper:</p> +<p>“Is she really alive?”</p> +<p>The sorrowful face of the father lit up with a faint +smile as he answered:</p> +<p>“Yes; thank heaven; alive and well.”</p> +<p>“May I touch her?” timidly asked Ike Hoe, extending +his finger which faintly brushed the rosy cheek, and +was instantly snatched away as if he felt he had done +a sacrilegious thing.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></div> +<p>“I say,” ventured Ruggles gathering courage, “I +wonder now if she would let me take her in my arms +for a minute or so; I won’t drop her; but that’s too +much to ask, howsumever.”</p> +<p>While he stood hopeful, hesitating and doubtful, +Nellie with a half frightened smile, dived her head under +the arm of her father, as if to get away from the +embarrassing situation. He gently fondled the golden +hair and drew her face into view again.</p> +<p>“There, little one, there’s nothing to be frightened +at; these people are all your friends and will do anything +they can to please you.”</p> +<p>“You’re right!” exclaimed Landlord Ortigies, with +a shake of his head; “we’ll do anything in the world +for you; if you say the word, I’ll stand on my head or +stand any one else here the same way.”</p> +<p>And he showed an alarming inclination to invert +himself for the amusement of the child, but she did not +seem to grasp the meaning of the offer. She fixed her +eyes upon Ruggles, who made bold by what seemed a +favorable sign, took a step forward and invitingly extended +his hands. She debated for a moment, whether +to meet the proffer and then with the impulsiveness of +infancy leaned toward him. With a thrill of pleasure +the grizzled miner carefully placed his huge arms underneath +hers, and lifted her as if she were a doll from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +her father’s knee. As he did so, every one saw the big +tears trickling down his cheeks.</p> +<p>“I can’t help it, boys,” he said apologetically; “the +last child I held in these arms was my own Jennie, and +she was dead.”</p> +<p>With infinite affection, he pressed his bearded lips +against the chubby cheek, while she, relieved of all fear, +flung her dimpled arms about his neck and kissed him +in return. With one hand, she lifted the flapping hat +from his head and with the other smoothed away the +luxuriant hair from his forehead.</p> +<p>“I like you ever so much, but you are crying,” she +said sympathetically; “what makes you do that? +Haven’t you got a little girl like me?”</p> +<p>“No, my precious child; I once had just such a sweet +tot as you, but the good Lord took her from me, and I +love you just as I loved her.”</p> +<p>“And that’s what we all are going to do,” remarked +Ike Hoe, with a sniff as he drew his sleeve across his +eyes; “this beats anything in the history of New Constantinople, +by seven hundred and eighty-four thousand +majority.”</p> +<p>“Come, Wade, you must be fair with us,” said the +landlord, reaching out his arms; “we all claim an equal +share in her.”</p> +<p>The miner felt the truth of this, and without a word +relinquished the treasure. Drawing his handkerchief, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +wiped his eyes clear of their mist and jealously followed +the surrendered one as she was fondled in turn by the +others. First one and then another, until she had completed +the round. All had something pleasant to say to +her and she replied in her sweet innocent way, causing +laughter and winning her path straight to the hearts of +the hardy fellows, to whom such endearments had been +unknown for years, but whose better natures were +stirred by the presence of the child, as if she were in +reality an angel sent from heaven.</p> +<p>Felix Brush had purposely left his turn for the last, +hoping thereby to retain her longer than his friends. +After chatting with her for a moment and repeating +some rigmarole that set her laughing, followed by the +request for him to say it again, he stood her on the bar. +Then he danced in front of her, swung his arms like a +jumping-jack, and told some outlandish fairy story +from the stock that no one had ever suspected he possessed.</p> +<p>“Can you stand on your head?” asked Nellie, rippling +over with fun.</p> +<p>“Certainly,” he replied, as without a moment’s hesitation, +he inverted himself and cracked his heels together, +though the attitude was such an unfamiliar one +that he careened and went over on his back with a +thump that made the room tremble. Nellie clapped her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +chubby hands with delight and before Brush could repeat +the performance, she called:</p> +<p>“Catch me; I’m going to jump.”</p> +<p>“All right; I’m ready for you.”</p> +<p>She recoiled a step to gather momentum and Landlord +Ortigies, terrified at the fear that she might step +off backward, made a dive round the end of the bar, +catching his foot in an obstruction and falling with a +crash that drew all attention to him.</p> +<p>“I’m so sorry; be you hurt?” asked Nellie, turning +her head and surveying him, as his face came up to +view like the full moon rising above the horizon.</p> +<p>“Not a bit; I done that on purpose to make you +laugh; I always do that to please good little girls like +you.”</p> +<p>“Bime by I’ll let you fall all the time, but just see me +jump.”</p> +<p>Felix Brush was still standing, with arms outstretched, +and, without a second’s hesitation the child +leaped off into space. She showed no fright, for there +was no cause for it, since she was caught fairly and securely. +Inasmuch as she had been fondled by every one, +and the parson had had her longer than anyone else, he +set her down on the floor and she began running here +and there, displaying a childish curiosity to understand +everything in sight. Going to the half-opened door, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +communicating with the darkened apartment at the +rear, she peeped timidly in.</p> +<p>“Who lives in dere?” she asked, turning around and +addressing the whole group who were laughingly +watching her.</p> +<p>“That’s where I live,” replied Ortigies.</p> +<p>“Do you live all alone?”</p> +<p>“Yes, my child.”</p> +<p>“Haven’t you got any little girl like me?”</p> +<p>“No; I’d give all I have in the world if I had.”</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t you like to have me for your little girl?”</p> +<p>“Indeed I would; will you be my little girl?”</p> +<p>The baby face became thoughtful. She thrust one +finger in the corner of her mouth and looked down at +the floor.</p> +<p>“What would papa do and those other folks? I will +be the little girl for all of you.”</p> +<p>This struck the party as the brightest and wittiest +expression ever made by a mortal. They laughed, +clapped their hands and striking each other on the +shoulder wanted to know whether anything of the like +had ever before been heard. Certainly not. Without +paying any heed to them, Nellie was peering into the +room again.</p> +<p>“It’s dark and cold,” she said in an awed voice, turning +her face around, the better to communicate the information; +“but I ain’t afraid.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></div> +<p>Before she could fairly enter the place, her father, +who was affectionately watching her, said:</p> +<p>“I guess you would better not go in there, Nellie; +it’s growing late and is time you prepared for bed.”</p> +<p>“I’ll fix a place for her,” said Ortigies; “we ain’t +much on style here, but I can manage to make her comfortable.”</p> +<p>“But will it not discommode you?”</p> +<p>“That little gal can’t discommode any one in New +Constantinople; if she would prefer to have me go out +and sleep in the snow, I’ll be glad to do it.”</p> +<p>“I’ve just the place for her,” interposed Wade Ruggles; +“couldn’t be better if I had taken a week to get it +ready.”</p> +<p>“Can’t begin with my quarters,” Felix Brush +hastened to say, and there would have been a general +wrangle for the privilege of accommodating the little +one, had not her father, seeing how matters were going, +smilingly raised his hand in protest.</p> +<p>“I cannot tell you, my friends, how much I thank +you all for your kindness. Ah, if my poor wife could +have held out until she reached here, but that was not +to be. I shall be glad to stay with Mr. Ortigies to-night, +and with your permission shall remain for a few days in +your settlement. I have lost everything I owned in the +world, and will need some time to decide what is best +to do. Our stay in New Constantinople will give all a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +better chance to get acquainted with Nellie. I’ll surrender +her to you until you get tired of her.”</p> +<p>“Get tired of her!” repeated Vose Adams, voicing +the sentiments of all; “we’re not the kind of galoots to +git tired of an angel.”</p> +<p>The father expressed his thanks with such winsome +grace, that every man instinctively felt that he was a +born gentleman. There was not a miner in the room +who did not sympathize with him in his affliction, and +yet they envied him the possession of the child, whose +innocence and beauty impressed them as more wonderful +than they had ever looked upon before. When Felix +Brush whispered to Budge Isham that arrangements +must be made in some way to keep the father with +them, for the sake of having the child, his friend +nodded his head, and said he had made up his mind to +the same effect from the moment the parent referred +to the matter. And the sentiments of these two were +those of the rest.</p> +<p>“Come, Nellie, let me prepare you for bed; it’s a +long time since you have had that privilege.”</p> +<p>The little one obediently walked to her father and +turned her back to him that he might better remove her +clothing.</p> +<p>“I suppose you have plenty of covering for her?” +remarked the parent inquiringly to the landlord.</p> +<p>“There’s all she can need.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span></div> +<p>Lifting her on his knee, the father began removing +the shoes and stockings, the little one giving what aid +she could, when it came to the garments. One of the +last acts of the affectionate mother had been to place +upon her child the gown she was accustomed to wear +while asleep. When at last she was ready, she looked +up to her father and asked in a half whisper:</p> +<p>“Where’s mamma?”</p> +<p>“She will not be with us to-night.”</p> +<p>“Then she will come in the morning?”</p> +<p>“Wait until then, my child; don’t say anything more +about mamma now.”</p> +<p>She was satisfied, and signified that she was ready to +have her father carry her to her bed. Then she exclaimed +with a laugh:</p> +<p>“Ain’t that funny?”</p> +<p>“What’s that?”</p> +<p>“I like to fordot to say my prayers.”</p> +<p>And slipping from her father’s knee, she knelt on the +floor, with her hands covering her face which, as it +pressed his knee, was hidden by the mass of golden +ringlets clustering and falling about it. Not a man +stirred or spoke. All were so silent that the sifting of +the snow against the logs, the moaning of the gale and +the soft rustle of the embers that broke apart on the +hearth were audible. But all these were as the “voice +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +of silence” itself, so that when the child began her +prayer in a low voice, every syllable was heard.</p> +<table summary=''><tr><td> +<p class='cg'>“Now I lay me down to sleep.<br /> +I pray the Lord my soul to keep;<br /> +If I should die before I wake,<br /> +I pray the Lord my soul to take.<br /> +God bless papa, mamma and make Nellie a good girl; bless––”</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p>Wheeling short round at the silent, awed group, she +looked at the landlord and asked:</p> +<p>“What is your name?”</p> +<p>“Or-ti-gies,” he replied, pronouncing it carefully.</p> +<p>She made rather sorry work at first, but there could +be no doubt that the One to whom she was addressing +the petition understood her wishes. When she had satisfied +herself and included the landlord in her prayer, +she ceased again, and this time looked up at her father +whose hand was resting on her head.</p> +<p>“I must pray for <i>all</i> of them, musn’t I?”</p> +<p>“Certainly, my child.”</p> +<p>“But I don’t know dere names.”</p> +<p>“They will all tell them.”</p> +<p>No act of worship in church or grand cathedral was +more solemn and reverential than that of the men, as +each in turn stepped softly forward with bowed head, +and repeated his name to the tiny petitioner, who immediately +included it with those for whom she had already +prayed and it was wafted upward through space to +Him who delights to hear and answer such petitions.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span></div> +<p>She did not forget one. To make sure, she looked up +while still on her knees and asked:</p> +<p>“Did I fordot any of you?”</p> +<p>“No,” replied the parent; “you have not missed any. +That’s a good girl.”</p> +<p>“And I know they will all be good, for I asked God +to make ’em so.”</p> +<p>The father now rose to his feet with her in his arms, +and she called a general good night, flinging a kiss to +all. Landlord Ortigies had lit an extra lamp and with +it in hand, he led the way to the rear room, where as he +stated, comfortable quarters were provided for the little +one. Since the Heavenly Bower was the only place in +the mining settlement where the wanderer, who occasionally +made his way into that remote part of the +world, could expect to find sleeping accommodations, +Ortigies was always prepared for visitors. Thus he +was able to furnish the father with a couch so placed +that he virtually shared the bed with his child.</p> +<p>Ten minutes later, when he stole back into the room +with the landlord to see whether everything was right +with his child, she was found sunk in the sweet, dreamless +slumber of infancy. The picture was so winsome +as she lay with her cheek resting upon the rough pillow, +that Ortigies stepped softly to the door and beckoned to +his friends. Everyone stole forward, and stood looking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +down for several minutes upon the sleeper, and, as he +did so, new resolves sprang into his heart. Already it +may be said they were better men because of the blessed +messenger that had come among them.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_A_SLIP_OR_TWO' id='CHAPTER_III_A_SLIP_OR_TWO'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>A SLIP OR TWO</h3> +</div> +<p>The blizzard gradually subsided toward morning, +but when the fall of snow ceased, it lay to the depth of +several feet on the level, while the gorges were choked +with vast drifts. The cold was below zero and no work +could be done in the diggings until a rise in temperature +came.</p> +<p>It was hardly light, however, on the succeeding +morning, when three of the miners accompanied Maurice +Dawson in his search for the abandoned wagon and +team. There was not a trace of anything resembling a +trail, the footprints of the man having been obliterated +by the wind-driven snow, and the skill of the party was +taxed to the utmost. Several times they were compelled +to rest, and Dawson himself suggested that the +search be given up until a change in the weather; but +the kind hearted men saw how deeply he grieved, and +their sympathy kept them toiling until about noon when +success came.</p> +<p>The wagon was so covered with snow that it resembled +a hummock, which ordinarily would have been +passed without notice. The horses and the inanimate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +form within were like blocks of wood. The slight +figure was lifted tenderly from its resting place and +brought to Dead Man’s Gulch.</p> +<p>Since the last recollection of Nellie was when she +supposed her mother alive, it was deemed kinder that +she should not look upon the lifeless form again. With +hard labor the picks and shovels hollowed out a shallow +grave into which the form, wrapped about with a single +blanket, was laid away to rest until the last day.</p> +<p>The father, when questioned by the little one, explained +that her mother had gone on a long, long journey +and there was no saying when she would be seen +again. Nellie cried a good deal and it saddened her +parent’s heart, when stealing softly into her room, he +saw the traces of tears on her cheeks. Who can tell the +sorrows of childhood when such a cruel affliction +comes upon it? But it is a blessed truth that time is +the healer of all wounds, and after awhile the little one +ceased to ask about her mother. When the whole truth +was told her, she had become old enough to bear the +blow.</p> +<p>Maurice Dawson’s first purpose was to remain only +for a week or two with the friends of himself and child. +He had set out for the Pacific coast, and, although it +was still a thousand miles distant, he felt it his duty to +press on, but he suffered himself to be dissuaded, when +it was explained that the prospect of obtaining gold was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +as good at New Constantinople, whereas, if he continued +his journey, he would have to make his home +among strangers, who were not likely to feel the interest +in him and his child that was felt by those who were +the means of saving their lives. Furthermore, since he +had lost his team, he was without the means of pressing +on. None of the emigrant trains turned so far out of +their course as to come to Dead Man’s Gulch, and nothing +was plainer than that the citizens of that place +would not give the least help in an enterprise that was +to deprive them of Nellie. It is impossible to say what +would have followed, had he persisted in his first decision, +for while the men might have consented to let him +go, they would have rebelled had he attempted to take +the child from them.</p> +<p>And so it came about, we repeat, that Maurice Dawson +decided to make his home indefinitely in the town +that had been christened New Constantinople. With +the help of his neighbors, Landlord Ortigies divided his +rear room into two apartments, one of which was +turned over to the parent and his child. Nearly every +miner brought some article, such as a fragment of mirror, +a picture or trinket and presented it to the little one, +whose room naturally became the finest in New Constantinople.</p> +<p>Dawson himself joined the miners at their work, all +showing an eagerness to lend him a helping hand, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +there was reason to hope that in time there would be a +fair reward for their labor. He was not only an educated +man, but was strong and enterprising, considerate +of the feelings of others, and now that his life partner +was gone, he had but the little daughter to live for. +Gladly he toiled for her, for no child was ever more tenderly +loved by parent than she. His thoughts turned to +the future, but for some years he believed it was better +that she should remain where she was.</p> +<p>Nellie Dawson became the pet of the mining town. +There was not a man in the place, no matter how rough +his ways, nor how dark had been his past, who was not +made the better by her presence. She touched a responsive +chord in every heart. She awoke tones that +had been silent for years, and stirred into life resolves +that had lain dormant for a generation. When the +weather grew milder with the approach of spring, she +flitted like a bird from cabin to cabin, equally at home +and dearly prized in all. Many a time when night came, +the father was unable to find her, and perhaps saw nothing +of her until the next day, but he never felt any solicitude. +He knew that some of the men had persuaded +her to remain with them, and he was too considerate to +rob them of the pleasure of listening to her innocent +prattle, while they racked their ingenuity and threw +dignity to the winds in the effort to entertain her. Each +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +one strove to make her think more of him than the others, +and it ended by her loving them all.</p> +<p>As a rule, Nellie ate her morning meal at home, after +spending the night with her father, and then she was +off for the day, returning or remaining away as her airy +fancy prompted. Her sweet influence in the mining +camp was beyond the power of human calculation to +fathom. No gauge could be placed upon it. Like the +sweep of an angel’s wing, her coming seemed to have +wafted nearly all the coarseness, wrong and evil from +her path.</p> +<p>“There’s a serious question that I want to lay afore +this company,” gravely remarked Wade Ruggles one +night in the Heavenly Bower. Dawson was absent with +a brother miner at the lower end of the settlement, so +the gathering felt at liberty to discuss him and his child. +Wade of late had fallen into the habit of taking the +lead in such discussions, and Landlord Ortigies was +quite willing to turn over the honors of the chairmanship +to the outspoken fellow.</p> +<p>The remainder of the company were smoking, drinking +and talking as the mood took them, and all looked +inquiringly at the speaker, seeing which Wade continued +with the same earnestness he had shown at first:</p> +<p>“It is this: that little angel that was tossed down +here in the blizzard is growing fast; she’s larning something +cute every day; she notices things that you don’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +think of; fact is she’s the smartest youngster that was +ever born. Does any gent feel disposed to dispoot the +aforesaid statement?” he abruptly asked, laying his +hand on the butt of his revolver and looking severely +around in the faces of his friends.</p> +<p>No one questioned the assertion. Had it been left to +them to choose the words, they would have made them +stronger.</p> +<p>“Wal, the remark I was about to remark is that I +hear some coarse observations once in awhile. I may +say that I have indulged in a few myself when the ’casion +was suitable and called for ’em, but I want to give +notice that the thing must stop in the presence of the +angel.”</p> +<p>“Your suggestions generally ain’t worth listenin’ +to,” observed Ike Hoe, “but there’s solid sense in them +words. I have been troubled over the same thing and +was goin’ to submit a proposition.”</p> +<p>“You’re a purty one to do it,” commented Vose +Adams scornfully; “why it’s only yesterday that I +heerd you say ‘darn’ just because I happened to smash +the end of your finger, with the hammer I was drivin’ +a nail with.”</p> +<p>“Did the little one hear him?” asked Wade Ruggles, +while an expression of horror settled on every +countenance.</p> +<p>“No, sir!” declared Ike; “afore I indulged in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +expression, so proper under the tryin’ circumstances, I +looked round to make sartin she wasn’t in hearing distance.”</p> +<p>“You must have looked very quick,” said Vose; “for +the horrible words was simultaneous with the flattenin’ +of your big forefinger. Howsumever, I gazed round +myself and am happy to say she warn’t in sight. If she +had been, I’d smashed all your fingers.”</p> +<p>“A very proper Christian spirit,” commended +Wade; “I hope all the rest of you will strive to emerlate +it.”</p> +<p>Felix Brush was leaning on the end of the bar with +a glass of steaming toddy, which he had partly sipped, +and was now caressing with his hand.</p> +<p>“Gentlemen,” said he impressively, “permit me a +word. Wade has touched a subject which appeals to us +all. I have given it much thought for the past few days +and feel it my duty to look after the religious instruction +of the child.”</p> +<p>Two or three disrespectful snickers followed this declaration. +The parson instantly flared up.</p> +<p>“If any reprobate here feels a desire to scoff, he’s +only to step outside for a few minutes and see who can +get the drop on the other.”</p> +<p>Everybody knew that the parson was always well +heeled, and no one questioned his courage. His friends +contented themselves with pitying smiles and significant +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +glances at one another. Felix hastily swallowed +his toddy, with the evident intention of airing his emphatic +views, when Wade Ruggles interposed:</p> +<p>“Pards, you’re gettin’ off the track; we hain’t got +to the religious racket yit; that’ll come later. What I +want to ’rive at is as to using cuss words and unproper +language where the angel hears it. It ain’t ’nough for +us to agree that we won’t do it; it must be fixed so we +don’t take no chances.”</p> +<p>This was not exactly clear and Wade was asked to be +more explicit.</p> +<p>“I mean that there must be a penalty, such as will +stop a galoot that has once offended from doing the +same thing again.”</p> +<p>This clearly intimated that the punishment which the +chairman had in mind was of a frightful nature. The +landlord begged Wade to come down to particulars.</p> +<p>“My idee is that whoever offends this little one by +unproper language shall be filled full of bullet holes: +how does <i>that</i> strike you?”</p> +<p>“It hits me just right!” responded the landlord, +with several nods of his head; “but there’s one thing +in the way.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?” demanded Wade, showing some +temper at this attack upon his scheme.</p> +<p>“It ’lows a man to say the unproper words in the +hearin’ of the angel, <i>afore</i> he’s shot; so it won’t prevent +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +her ears from being ’fended. Can’t we fix it some way, +so that she shan’t hear ’em at all?”</p> +<p>“There’s no trouble about that,” solemnly remarked +Budge Isham from his seat at the further end of the +room; “You have only to find out when a fellow has +made up his mind to use improper language in the +presence of the child, and then shoot him before he can +say the words.”</p> +<p>“But how shall we know he’s going to say ’em?” inquired +the chairman, who in the earnestness of his feelings +felt no suspicion of the honesty of his friend.</p> +<p>“You will have to judge that by the expression of +his countenance. I think when a fellow has made up +his mind to swear his looks give notice of what is coming. +The rest of us must be on the alert and pick him +off before the words get out of his mouth. And yet I +am sorry to say,” added Budge gravely rising to his +feet, “that there is one serious drawback to my proposition.”</p> +<p>“The chairman is anxious to hear it.”</p> +<p>“There might be mistakes made. A man’s expression +is not always an index of his thoughts. He might +be suffering from some inward pain, and be in the act +of uttering some expression, but his face could have so +mean a look that if our law was in force, he would be +shot on sight. For instance, studying these faces all +turned toward me, I should say, speaking on general +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +principles, that all except one or two deserve, not shooting, +but hanging, and if looks were to determine a +man’s depth of infamy, mighty few of you would live +five minutes.”</p> +<p>Budge sank gravely into his seat and resumed smoking, +while his friends, understanding his trifling character, +contemptuously refused attention to his disrespectful +remarks. In the general discussion which followed, +several insisted that the only proper punishment +for the grave offence was death; but the sentiment crystallized +into the feeling that that penalty was somewhat +severe for the first breaking of the law. It was proper +enough for the second crime, but a man who had been +accustomed to picturesque and emphatic words was +liable to err once at least while on the road to reformation. +The agreement finally reached was that the offender +should be heavily fined, compelled to fast several +days, or, more frightful than all, be deprived of the +privileges of the bar for the same length of time. When +the last penalty was fixed there were several suppressed +groans and a general setting of lips, with the unshakable +resolve to steer clear of that appalling punishment.</p> +<p>Everything was serene for several days, when, as +might have been anticipated, the explosion came. Al +Bidwell, in coming out of the Heavenly Bower, caught +the toe of one of his boots and fell forward on his hands +and knees. Two of his friends seeing him naturally +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +laughed, whereupon, as he picked himself up, he demanded +in the name of the presiding genius of hades, +what they saw to laugh at. By way of answer, one +of them pointed to Nellie Dawson, who ran forward to +help him to his feet.</p> +<p>“Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Bidwell? I’s so sorry.”</p> +<p>“You may well be, little one,” was the bitter response, +as he realized his awful offence; “for this will +play thunder with me––there it goes agin! Please +don’t say another word,” he exclaimed desperately, +striding down the street to save himself from piling up +a mountain of unpardonable crimes.</p> +<p>The committee did not gather until late that evening, +for Nellie was at home and it was thought advisable to +wait until she was asleep, so that she should not know +anything of what was in the air. The conversation was +in subdued tones until Mr. Dawson tip-toed out of the +rear room, with the announcement that the little one +was sunk in slumber.</p> +<p>“Such bein’ the case,” remarked Wade Ruggles, +with becoming gravity, “this meeting will proceed to +bus’ness. Pards, a hein’us crime has been committed +among us. In the proud history of New Constantinople, +we’ve had hangin’ bees; we’ve shot three Injins +’cause they <i>was</i> Injins; there has been any number of +holes plugged inter them as was a little careless of +speech, and more’n once there has been the devil to pay, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +but nothin’ like this, <i>never</i>! Vose Adams, you was one +as heard this wretch Bidwell indulge in his shocking +profanity. You’ll be good ’nough to give the partic’lars +to the gents that I must warn to brace themselves fur +the shock.”</p> +<p>Vose Adams told the story which was familiar to +all. He and Budge Isham were approaching the Heavenly +Bower that forenoon, the cause being a due regard +for the requirement of the laws of health, when Albert +Bidwell, the accused, stubbed his toe. Hearing a +laugh, he looked up and demanded to know what the +––– they were laughing at. While the query, though +objectionable on æsthetic grounds, might have passed +muster in the diggings or anywhere in New Constantinople +previous to the advent of the angel at present +making her home with them, yet the horror of the thing +was that the aforesaid angel heard it. She ran to the +help of the villain, who added to his monumental crime +by calmly remarking to her that what he had just said +would play thunder with him.</p> +<p>This second offence was unanimously felt by those +present to be more unpardonable than the first, since it +was in the nature of an addendum, had nothing to do +with the business proper, and worst of all, was addressed +to Nellie herself.</p> +<p>Chairman Ruggles turned his severest frown upon +the prisoner, who was sitting disconsolately on a box, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +and drawing at his brier wood pipe, which in the depth +of his emotion, he failed to notice was unlighted.</p> +<p>“What has the prisoner to say fur himself?”</p> +<p>Bidwell shuffled to his feet, took the pipe from his +mouth and looked around upon the cold, unsympathetic +faces.</p> +<p>“Wal, pards,” he remarked, heaving a great sigh, +“I don’t see that there’s anything partic’lar fur me to +say. When a thing is fairly proved onto you, you can’t +make nothin’ by denyin’ of the same. I’ve been tryin’ +to walk a chalk line ever since the angel arrove among +us. Two or three times I fell over backward and +bruised my head, owin’ to my tryin’ to stand up too +straight. I was just bracin’ myself to do the same +as aforesaid, when comin’ out of this disgraceful place, +when I took a headlong dive and struck the earth so +hard, I must have made a bulge in China. Two unmannerly +ijuts that happened to see me, instead of expressin’ +sorrer for my mishap, broke out laughin’, and +in my righteous indignation, I asked them a emphatic +question.”</p> +<p>“Ord’narily,” observed the Court, “your explanation +would do. In the old times, nothin’ would have +been said if you’d drawed your gun and give ’em a +lesson in manners, but that aint the question afore the +house: Why did you do it in the presence of the +angel?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></div> +<p>“Didn’t see her till after the crime was committed.”</p> +<p>“But why didn’t you look fur her to larn whether +she was in sight or was liable to hear your shocking +words?”</p> +<p>“Didn’t think of it.”</p> +<p>“Your reply only aggervates the offence. If any +man feels that he must swear or bust, he must bust, +purvided the little one is in sight; or he must hold in till +he can climb on top of the rocks, or creep among the +foothills where he’s sure of being alone. The Court +hain’t any ’bjection to your thinking all the cuss words +you want to, but you mus’n’t speak ’em when she’s +about. You understand the position of the Court?”</p> +<p>“I’d be a fool if I didn’t,” growled the accused.</p> +<p>“It’s onnecessary to understand ’em in order to be +a fool, Mr. Bidwell, but how ’bout your second offence, +when you used the word ‘thunder,’ and addressed it to +the gal herself?”</p> +<p>The prisoner felt that nothing could be said in palliation +of this charge.</p> +<p>“That <i>was</i> bad bus’ness, I’ll confess; but I was so +disgusted with myself that I didn’t know what I was +doing or saying; the words come out afore I had time +to pull myself together. I was so afeard of adding +something still worser that I just rushed off to git out +of danger.”</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +<img src='images/p0046a-ins.jpg' alt='' title='' width='341' height='503' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +AS HE PICKED HIMSELF UP, HE DEMANDED IN THE NAME OF THE PRESIDING GENIUS OF HADES WHAT THEY SAW TO LAUGH AT.––PAGE 43.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>“There’s where you showed the first grain of sense +the Court ever knowed you to show. If I had been in +your place, I would have jumped off the rocks, into the +kenyon, two thousand feet below. If you’d done that +you’d been saved the disgrace of being put on trial in +this honorable Court. Gents,” added Ruggles, glancing +from the prisoner into the expectant faces, “since +the man owns up, it rests with you to fix the penalty for +his crime of bigamous murder.”</p> +<p>The prisoner resumed his seat and the chairman +looked around, as an invitation for those present to express +their views. When they came to do so, a wide +diversity came to the surface. Vose Adams suggested +that the criminal be compelled to go without any food +for three days, but this was not favorably received, +since the rough, trying life which each man had been +compelled to follow at times during the past years, +made the punishment much less than it appeared to be.</p> +<p>Ike Hoe suggested that instead of food, the accused’s +liquid refreshment should be shut off for the time +named. The accused groaned.</p> +<p>When this had continued for some time, Felix Brush, +the parson, took the floor.</p> +<p>“Gentlemen, it’s a principle in law to be lenient with +the first offence, and, since this is the first time that Bidwell +has offended and he deeply feels his disgrace, why +not require him to apologize to the young lady and +stand treat for the crowd, with the understanding that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +his next crime shall be visited with condign punishment?”</p> +<p>“Do you propose to let him off?” demanded the +wrathful chairman.</p> +<p>“Yes; for this once, but never again.”</p> +<p>“I’ll never consent to anything of the kind! The +dignity of the Court must be preserved; the law must +be executed, and any man who says ‘devil’ or ‘thunder’ +in the presence of the little gal, I don’t care what +the circumstances, orter to be shot, so that there wont +be any delay in his going to the devil, where he belongs.”</p> +<p>“<i>O, Mr. Ruggles, I heard you</i>!”</p> +<p>A little figure dressed in white stood at the door +leading to the rear room, and the startled auditors turning +their heads, saw Nellie Dawson, with her chubby +finger pointed reprovingly at the dumbfounded chairman.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_SUITING_THE_PUNISHMENT_TO_THE_CRIME' id='CHAPTER_IV_SUITING_THE_PUNISHMENT_TO_THE_CRIME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>SUITING THE PUNISHMENT TO THE CRIME</h3> +</div> +<p>Wade Ruggles was speechless. He sat with his +mouth wide open and his eyes staring at the little figure, +as if it were a veritable apparition. All the others +looked in the same direction. Nellie Dawson stood +for a moment with her finger pointed reprovingly at the +chairman, and then turning about ran back into the +rear room and plunged into her bed.</p> +<p>“Max, quick!” said Ruggles faintly, pointing to the +black bottle at the rear of the bar. The landlord hastily +poured out some of the fiery stuff, and the miserable +fellow swallowed it at a gulp. It served partly to revive +him, but he was really on the verge of collapse.</p> +<p>The only one of the company not impressed was +Maurice Dawson, father of the little girl. He was sitting +well back of the rest, where no one paid attention +to him. Comprehending the meaning of this incident, +he drew his hand across his mouth to conceal the smile +that could not be wholly restrained. Then he hurried +back into the room to see that his child was “tucked +up” and properly covered for the night. Finding himself +in the dark, where he could not be observed, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +laughed deeply and silently, his mirth all the greater +because of the oppressive gravity of every one else. +Then bending over, he said, as he kissed the little one:</p> +<p>“I thought you were asleep, Nellie?”</p> +<p>“So I was, but Mr. Ruggles spoke those bad words +so loud he woked me.”</p> +<p>“You mustn’t get up again, will you?”</p> +<p>“Not if you don’t want me to.”</p> +<p>“I have just told you I don’t wish you to.”</p> +<p>“Then I wont get up.”</p> +<p>The father lingered in the room, until he mastered +his disposition to laugh, and then, when he walked out +among his friends no countenance was graver than +his.</p> +<p>“I say, Dawson,” said Ruggles, swallowing a lump +in his throat, “will you oblige me by acting as chairman?––I +don’t feel––very––well.”</p> +<p>The gentleman walked forward to where Ruggles +had been standing with his back against the bar, looking +down in the faces of his friends. The poor fellow +seemed to have aged ten years, as he slouched off to an +upturned box near the door, where he dejectedly seated +himself.</p> +<p>“What is your pleasure, gentlemen?” asked Dawson, +as if presiding over the deliberations of one of the +most august assemblages in the land; “I am ready to +hear any suggestion or motion.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span></div> +<p>Al Bidwell rose to his feet.</p> +<p>“Mr. Chairman, I wish to endorse with all my heart, +the soul-stirring, eloquent address to which we have +just listened from the late Mr. Ruggles,––I mean the +late Chairman. Them sentiments of his is as sound as +a gold dollar. He maintains that any gent that uses +an unproper word, such as he used and which I scorn +to repeat, in the presence of the young lady, who has +just listened to his remarks, oughter to be sent to the +individooal whose name is too shocking fur me to pronounce, +since the aforesaid young lady is in the adjoining +apartment, from whence she was awoke by the awful +profanity of the gent who lately served as our chairman.”</p> +<p>And having gotten back on Ruggles in this masterly +manner, Bidwell sat down, slung one leg over the other, +and relit his pipe. The oppressive silence was broken +by a prodigious sigh from Ruggles.</p> +<p>Parson Brush, after the stillness had continued some +minutes, rose to his feet.</p> +<p>“Mr. Chairman, an extraordinary state of affairs +has arisen. You have not forgotten that I plead for +charity for Mr. Bidwell, because it was his first offence. +My plea was not well received, but my sentiments +are unchanged, and I now make the same plea +for Mr. Ruggles and on the same grounds. When +he was denouncing in fitting terms the sin of Bidwell, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +he had no thought of committing the crime himself, +but in his earnestness he did. This being plain to all +of us, I renew–––”</p> +<p>Wade Ruggles bounded to his feet.</p> +<p>“I don’t want any one to plead for me! I ain’t +pleading fur myself! I can take my medicine like a +man; if there’s any galoot here–––”</p> +<p>He suddenly checked himself with an apprehensive +glance at the door of the rear room, and then resumed +in a more subdued voice:</p> +<p>“I insist that Al Bidwell shall suffer for his onspeakable +crime and me too, ’cause mine was onspeakabler. +Jedgin’ from the evidence that showed itself, +I must have awoke the little gal from peaceful slumber, +by them awful words of mine.”</p> +<p>He paused and looked inquiringly at the chairman, +who calmly returned his gaze, without speaking. It +was Parson Brush who interposed:</p> +<p>“I should like to ask, Mr. Dawson, whether the supposition +of Mr. Ruggles has any foundation in fact.”</p> +<p>“It has; when I asked Nellie what caused her to +awake, she said it was Mr. Ruggles when he used those +bad words.”</p> +<p>“Just what I thought!” exclaimed Ruggles, as if he +enjoyed heaping fire upon his own head; “there ain’t +any depth of infamy which I hain’t reached. For me +to try to sneak out now, when I made such +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +a–––(Here he again threw a startled glance at the rear of +the room) would be to do something which Wade Ruggles +never done in his variegated career of nigh onto +forty years. All I ask is that you’ll git through it as +soon as you kin and fix our terms of imprisonment or +our deaths and hev done with it.”</p> +<p>Al Bidwell took an unworthy delight in prodding the +man who had been so severe upon him.</p> +<p>“I beg humbly to suggest to the gent that there are +plenty of places in the mountains where he can make +a jump of a thousand feet or two into the kenyons. +Wouldn’t it be a good idee fur the gent to try it?”</p> +<p>“I will if you’ll join me,” retorted Wade, turning +upon him like a flash.</p> +<p>“I’ll let you try it first and see how it works,” replied +Bidwell, so crushed that he remained silent henceforward.</p> +<p>“Since I am chairman,” said Dawson, with becoming +dignity, “it is my duty to listen to suggestions and +to hear motions. What is your pleasure, gentlemen?”</p> +<p>No one in looking at the countenance of Maurice +Dawson would have suspected he was extracting the +keenest enjoyment from these proceedings, yet such +was the fact. There was something so intensely ludicrous +in the whole business, that only by assuming +preternatural gravity could he refrain from breaking +into merriment. His policy was to egg on the discussion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +until the company were ready for a decision, when +he would interpose with the proposal to wipe out the +whole matter and begin over again. The earnestness +of Wade Ruggles, however, threatened to check anything +of that nature. He was on his feet several times +until Budge Isham, who shrewdly suspected the sentiments +of the chairman, protested.</p> +<p>“With all due respect to the parson, to Ruggles and +to Bidwell, it strikes me, Mr. Chairman, that they +should give the rest of us a show. We have listened +to their yawping until it has grown monotonous. Having +told us a dozen times, more or less, that he wants +us to punish him all he deserves, Mr. Ruggles ought +to let it rest with that; but he shouldn’t forget,” added +Budge, with the solemn manner which always marked +his waggery, “that, if we took him at his word, he +would be kicking vacancy this minute. However, this +hasn’t anything to do with his general cussedness, but +concerns his offence against the young lady. That is +all there is before the house, and I insist that we confine +ourselves to that–––”</p> +<p>“Isn’t that what I’ve been insistin’ on?” demanded +Wade Ruggles.</p> +<p>“There you go again! I have the floor, and you +have no parliamentary right to interrupt me with your +frivolous remarks. Am I correct, Mr. Chairman?”</p> +<p>“You are most unquestionably; proceed.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></div> +<p>“Well, to bring this tiresome matter to a close, I +move that Mr. Bidwell be deprived of the bar privileges +of the Heavenly Bower for a period of four days, and +that the same be denied to Mr. Ruggles for a period of +one week. Did I hear a groan?” asked Budge, looking +round at the two men, who were trying bravely to +bear up under the threatened punishment.</p> +<p>Both shook their heads, afraid to trust their voices +by way of reply.</p> +<p>“If the gentlemen will permit me,” said the chairman, +“I should like to say a few words.”</p> +<p>“I am sure we shall be glad to hear from Mr. Dawson,” +remarked the parson.</p> +<p>“Thank you. What I had in mind is this:––It is +creditable to your honor that you should pledge yourselves +to refrain from unbecoming language in the +hearing of my little girl, for you cannot help being her +instructors, no matter how much you may wish it were +otherwise. But you are magnifying the matter. I am +sure every man of you will strive just as hard, without +being incited thereto by the fear of punishment. I would +beg to suggest–––”</p> +<p>He paused, for, looking at Wade Ruggles, he saw +it was useless to go further. Bidwell would have been +glad to receive leniency, but his partner in crime was +immovable, and it would not do to punish one and allow +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +the other to go free. Dawson was wise enough +to accept the situation promptly.</p> +<p>“You have heard the penalties suggested for the offences +of the two gentlemen accused. All who favor +such punishment will show it by raising their right +hands.”</p> +<p>Every man in the room, except the chairman, voted +in the affirmative.</p> +<p>“It isn’t worth while to put the negative. The accused +have heard the verdict, which is that Mr. Bidwell +shall not drink a drop of anything except water or coffee +for a period of four days, dating from this moment, +while Mr. Ruggles is to undergo the same penalty for +a period of one week.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” growled Bidwell; “for he drank +about half of what was in the bottle only a few minutes +ago.”</p> +<p>“And you would have drunk it all,” retorted Ruggles, +“if you’d knowed what was coming.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_A_HUNDRED_FOLD' id='CHAPTER_V_A_HUNDRED_FOLD'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>A HUNDRED FOLD</h3> +</div> +<p>All this may seem a trifling matter to the reader +who does not understand the real punishment suffered +by these two men, who, like all the rest of their companions, +had been accustomed to the use of ardent +spirits for many years. There was no deprivation +which they could not have borne with less distress, but +their great consolation was that both knew the penalty +was fully deserved, and they would not have complained +had it been made more severe.</p> +<p>“I tell you,” said Bidwell, at the end of the fourth +day, when he had celebrated his release from purgatory, +“it pays, Ruggles.”</p> +<p>“What pays?”</p> +<p>“The reward you git for all this. At the end of a +week you’ll have a thirst that you wouldn’t take a thousand +dollars fur.”</p> +<p>“But the week isn’t much more’n half gone and I’d +sell my thirst mighty cheap now.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you do it! Hold fast to it.”</p> +<p>“That’s what I’m doing, ’cause I can’t help myself. +Howsumever it’s the thirst that’s holding fast to me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></div> +<p>“That’s the beauty of it; it’ll git stronger and +stronger, and then it’s so big that you can’t well handle +it. It seems to me that ten minutes after I’ve had a +drink, I’m thirsty agin, which reminds me; I’d like to +invite you, Wade.”</p> +<p>“Invite all you want to, ’cause it won’t do any more +hurt than good; don’t let me keep you,” added Ruggles, +observing the longing eyes his friend cast in the +direction of the Heavenly Bower. Bidwell moved off +with pretended reluctance, out of consideration for the +feelings of his friend, but once inside, he gave another +demonstration of the truth of his remarks concerning +thirst.</p> +<p>As for Ruggles, only he who has been similarly placed +can appreciate his trial. No man is so deserving of +sympathy as he who is making a resolute effort to conquer +the debasing appetite that has brought him to the +gutter.</p> +<p>On that fourth night the thirst of the fellow was a +raging fever. He drank copious draughts of spring +water, but all the help it gave was to fill him up. The +insatiate craving remained and could not be soothed. +It seemed as if every nerve was crying out for the +stimulant which it was denied.</p> +<p>“The only time I ever went through anything like +this,” he said to himself, “was twenty years ago, when +a party of us were lost in the Death Valley. Three of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +’em died of thirst, and I come so nigh it that it makes +me shudder to think of it even at this late day.”</p> +<p>A wonderful experience came to Wade Ruggles. +To his unbounded amazement, he noticed a sensible +diminution, on the fifth day, of his thirst. It startled +him at first and caused something in the nature of +alarm. He feared some radical change had taken place +in his system which threatened a dangerous issue. +When this misgiving passed, it was succeeded by something +of the nature of regret. One consoling reflection +from the moment his torture began, was the reward +which Al Bidwell had named, that is,––the glorious enjoyment +of fully quenching his terrific craving, but, if +that craving diminished, the future bliss must shrink +in a corresponding ratio, and <i>that</i> was a calamity to +make a man like him shudder.</p> +<p>On the evening of the fifth day, he ventured for the +first time during his penal term, to enter the Heavenly +Bower. He wished to test his self-control. When he +sat quietly and saw his friends imbibing, and was yet +able to restrain himself from a headlong rush to join +them, he knew that beyond all question, his fearful appetite +had lost a part of its control over him. Still he +believed it was only a temporary disarrangement, and +that the following day would bring a renewal of his +thirst, with all its merciless violence.</p> +<p>But lo! on the sixth morning, the appetite was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +weaker than ever. His craving was so moderate that, +after a deep draught of mountain spring water, he was +hardly conscious of any longing for liquor. He seemed +to be losing his memory of it.</p> +<p>“I don’t understand it,” he mused, keeping the astonishing +truth to himself; “It’s less than a week ago +that I was one of the heaviest drinkers in New Constantinople, +and if anyone had told me of this, I would +have been sure he’d lost his senses, which the same may +be what’s the matter with me.”</p> +<p>But there was no awakening of his torment during +the day, and when he lay down at night, he was disturbed +by strange musings.</p> +<p>“If we had a doctor in the place, I would ask him to +tell me what it means. The queerest thing ’bout the +whole bus’ness is that I feel three thousand per cent. +better. I wonder if it can be on ’count of my not swallerin’ +any of Ortigies’ pison which the same he calls +Mountain Dew. I guess it must be that.”</p> +<p>But that night he was restless, and gradually his +thoughts turned into a new channel. A momentous +problem presented itself for solution.</p> +<p>“If I’ve improved so much after goin’ six days without +drinkin’, won’t I feel a blamed sight better, if I try +it for six weeks––six months––six years––<i>forever</i>.”</p> +<p>And as an extraordinary, a marvelous resolution +simmered and finally crystallized, he chortled.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></div> +<p>“What’ll the boys say? What’ll the parson think? +What’ll I think? What would that good old mother of +mine think, if she was alive? But she died afore she +knowed what a good for nothin’ man her boy turned +out to be. God rest her soul!” he added softly, “she +must have prayed over me a good many hundred times; +if she’s kept track of me all these years, this is an +answer to her prayers.”</p> +<p>Budge Isham was the partner of Wade, and shared +his cabin with him. He slept across the room, and +noticed how his friend tossed and muttered in his sleep.</p> +<p>“Great Gee!” he exclaimed, “but Wade’s got it +pretty bad; I wonder if it’s the jim jams that is getting +hold of him; I’ll sleep with one eye open, for he will +need looking after. What a blessed thing it is that he +has only one more day. Then he can celebrate and be +happy. I have no doubt that by the end of another +week, he will have brought things up to their old average.”</p> +<p>And with this conclusion, the man who a few years +before took the first honors at Yale, shifted his position, +so as to keep an eye on his comrade, and straightway +proceeded to drop into a sound slumber, which was not +broken until the sun rose on the following morning.</p> +<p>The sympathy for Wade was general. Had he not +insisted upon carrying out in spirit and letter the full +punishment pronounced upon him, there would have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +been a unanimous agreement to commute his term by +one or two days at least; but all knew the grit or +“sand” of the fellow too well to propose it.</p> +<p>His actions on the seventh day caused considerable +disquietude. He had labored in the mines, in a desultory +fashion up to that time, but he did not do a stroke +of work during the concluding hours of his ordeal. It +was observed by his partner, Budge Isham, that his +appetite was unusually good and he seemed to be in +high spirits. His friends attributed this to the closeness +of his reward for his abstention, but he took several +walks up the mountain side and was gone for a good +while. He wore a smiling face and Vose Adams declared +that he overheard him communing with himself, +when he thought he was too far off for the act to be noticed.</p> +<p>“No use of talkin’,” whispered Vose; “Wade ain’t +quite himself; he’s a little off and won’t be exactly right +till after two or three days.”</p> +<p>“He has my sympathy,” remarked the parson, “but +it will serve as a lesson which he will always remember.”</p> +<p>“And won’t <i>we</i> remember it?” said Ike Hoe, with +a shudder. “When we’re disposed to say one of them +unproper words, the picture of that miserable scamp +going a full week without a touch of Mountain Dew, +will freeze up our lips closer than a clam.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></div> +<p>That night the usual group was gathered at the +Heavenly Bower. There were the same merry jests, +the reminiscences, the conjectures how certain diggings +would pan out, the small talk and the general good feeling. +Common hardship and suffering had brought these +rough men close to one another. They were indulgent +and charitable and each one would have eagerly risked +his life for the sake of the rest. Quick to anger, they +were equally quick to forgive, mutually rejoicing in +good fortune, and mutually sympathetic in sorrow.</p> +<p>There was more than one furtive glance at Ruggles, +who was among the first arrivals. Whispers had +passed around of his strange actions, and the surprise +would not have been great had it been found that he +had gone clean daft; but nothing in his manner indicated +anything of that nature. He was as full of quip +and jest as ever, and none was in higher or more buoyant +spirits than he.</p> +<p>He suddenly called:</p> +<p>“Dawson, what time is it?”</p> +<p>The latest comer among them carried a watch which +he drew out and examined.</p> +<p>“It is exactly half-past nine.”</p> +<p>“When did my punishment begin?”</p> +<p>“A week ago to-night, precisely at this hour; I began +to fear that you had forgotten it.”</p> +<p>“No danger of my ever forgetting it,” grimly responded +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +Ruggles; “what I want to know is whether I +have served out my full term.”</p> +<p>“You have unquestionably.”</p> +<p>“Is there anyone here disposed to dispute this statement?” +asked Wade, standing very erect and looking +around in the faces of his friends.</p> +<p>No one interposed an objection. He had not only +the sympathy but the respect of every one.</p> +<p>“You sarved your time like a man,” remarked Ike +Hoe; “the week is up and you’ve give good measure.”</p> +<p>“Which the same being the case, I invite all to come +forward and liquidate.”</p> +<p>Never was an invitation responded to with more enthusiasm. +The grinning Ortigies set out a couple of +bottles, intending as a matter of course to join in the +celebration. He feelingly remarked:</p> +<p>“Wade, my heart bled for you and thar ain’t a pard +here that wouldn’t have been willing to take your place––that +is for a limited time,” the landlord hastened to +add.</p> +<p>Each tumbler was half-filled with the fiery stuff and +all looked in smiling expectancy at their host to give the +cue. He poured a small quantity into his glass, and +elevating it almost to a level with his lips, looked over +the top.</p> +<p>“Are you ready, pards? here goes.”</p> +<p>Up went every glass and down went the stuff. But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +there was one exception. While the glass was at his +lips, and while the familiar odor was in his nostrils, +Wade Ruggles deliberately inverted the tumbler and +emptied the contents on the floor.</p> +<p>It was the strangest incident that had ever occurred +in New Constantinople.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_TEACHER_AND_PUPIL' id='CHAPTER_VI_TEACHER_AND_PUPIL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>TEACHER AND PUPIL</h3> +</div> +<p>The group looked at Wade Ruggles in breathless +amazement. He had invited them to the bar to join in +celebrating his release from thralldom; all had filled +their glasses and he had raised his own to his lips, +though several noticed that there was only a small +amount of liquid in the tumbler. Then, when every +glass was upraised and there was a general gurgling, +he had turned his glass upside down and spilled every +drop on the floor.</p> +<p>Before anyone could think of suitable terms in which +to express his emotions, Wade said, with a smile that +rather added than detracted from his seriousness:</p> +<p>“Pards, never again does a drop of that stuff go +down my throat! I’ve suffered hell, but I’ve come out +of the flames, and the one that fetched me through is +the little gal which lays asleep in the next room.”</p> +<p>He did not attempt to deliver a temperance lecture +to his friends, nor did they trifle with him. They +questioned him closely as to how he had reached this +extraordinary decision, and he gave a vivid and truthful +account of his experience. It made several of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +men thoughtful, but most of them felt dubious about his +persistence in the new path he had laid out for himself.</p> +<p>“You know, boys, whether I’ve got a will of my +own,” he quietly replied; “just wait and see how this +thing comes out.”</p> +<p>It was noticed that Parson Brush was the most interested +inquirer, and, though he had comparatively +little to say, he left the Bower unusually early. He had +begun his system of instruction with Nellie Dawson, +and reported that she was making remarkably good +progress. Had the contrary been the fact, it may be +doubted whether it would have been safe for him to +proclaim it.</p> +<p>And now the scene changes. It is the close of a radiant +summer day in the Sierras. Far down in the +cañon-like chasm between the mountainous spurs, +nestled the little mining settlement, which had been +christened but a short time before, New Constantinople. +Here and there tiny wounds had been gouged into +the ribs of the mountain walls, and the miners were +pecking away with pick and shovel, deepening the hurts +in their quest for the yellow atoms or dark ore which +had been the means of bringing every man thousands +of miles to the spot.</p> +<p>Far up toward the clouds were the towering, craggy +peaks, with many a rent and yawn and table-land and +lesser elevation, until, as if to check the climbing ambition +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +of the prodigious monster, nature had flung an immense +blanket of snow, whose ragged and torn edges +lapped far down the sides of the crests. Ages ago the +chilling blanket was tucked around the mountain tops, +there to remain through the long stretch of centuries +to follow.</p> +<p>Down the valley, at the bottom of the winding cañon, +the air palpitated with the fervor of the torrid zone. +He who attempted to plod forward panted and perspired, +but a little way up the mountain side, the cool +breath crept downward from the regions of perpetual +ice and snow, through the balsamic pines and cedars, +with a revivifying power that was grateful to all who +felt its life-giving embrace.</p> +<p>The sun hovered in a sky of unclouded azure. It +shot its arrows into the gullies, ravines and gorges, but +made no impression on the frozen covering far up in +cloudland itself. Long pointed ravelings on the lower +edge of the mantle showed where some of the snow had +turned to water, which changed again to ice, when the +sun dipped below the horizon.</p> +<p>The miners were pigmies as they toiled in the sides +of the towering mountain walls, where they had toiled +for many a day. On the lip of a projecting crag, half +a mile above were three other pigmies, who neither +toiled nor spun. Viewed through a glass, it was seen +that they wore stained feathers in their black hair +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +dangling about their shoulders, with the blankets wrapped +round their forms descending to their moccasined +feet. They were watching in grim silence these proofs +of the invasion of their homes by the children of another +race, and mayhap were conjuring some scheme for +driving them back into the great sea across which they +had sailed to occupy the new land.</p> +<p>One of the Indians was a chieftain. He had come in +violent contact with these hated creatures and he bore +on his person the scars of such meeting. All carried +bows and arrows, though others of their tribe had +learned the use of the deadly firearms, which has played +such havoc with the American race.</p> +<p>Suddenly the chief uttered an exclamation. Then +drawing an arrow from the quiver over his shoulder, +he fitted it to the string of his long bow, +and pointing downward toward the group of +miners, launched the shaft. Except for the power of +gravity, it would have been a foolhardy effort, but +guided by the wisp of feather twisted around the reed, +the missile spun far outward over the cañon, and dived +through the vast reach of space, as if it were endowed +with life and determined to seek out and pierce the +intruders. The black eyes of the three warriors followed +the arrow until it was only a flickering speck, far +below them; but, before that moment arrived, they saw +that it was speeding wide of the mark. When at last, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +the sharp point struck the flinty rock, and the missile +doubled over upon itself and dropped harmlessly to the +bottom of the cañon, it was at such a distance from the +miners, that they knew nothing of it. They never +looked up, nor were they aware of the futile anger of +the red men, who seeing how useless was everything +of that nature, turned about and soon passed from +view.</p> +<p>The incident was typical of the futility of the red +man struggling against his inevitable doom at the +hands of his white brother.</p> +<p>Half way between the bottom of the cañon and the +lower fringe of the vast mantle of snow, a waterfall +tumbled over the edge of a rock, and with many a twist +and eddy found its way to the small stream, which rippled +along the bottom of the gorge, until its winding +course carried it beyond sight. Now and then a rift of +wind blew aside some of the foam, like a wisp of snow, +and brought the murmur more clearly to the ear of the +listener, shutting out for the time, the faint hollow roar +that was wafted from the region of pines and cedars. It +was a picture of lonely grandeur and desolation, made +all the more impressive by the tiny bits of life, showing +in the few spots along the mountain wall.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +<img src='images/p0070a-ins.jpg' alt='' title='' width='343' height='490' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +THE TEACHER HAD MARKED ON THE DARK FACE OF THE ROCK WITH A SPECIES OF CHALK ALL THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.––PAGE 71.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>At the rear of the row of cabins, and elevated perhaps +fifty feet above, was the comparatively smooth +face of a rock, several square rods in extent. At the +base was abundant footing for two persons, Parson +Brush and Nellie Dawson. The teacher had marked +on the dark face of the rock with a species of chalk, +all the letters large and small of the alphabet. They +were well drawn, for the parson, like others in the settlement, +was a man of education, though his many +years of roughing it had greatly rusted his book knowledge.</p> +<p>Standing to one side of his artistic work, like a +teacher of the olden time, the parson, with a long, +trimmed branch in his hand, pointed at the different +letters in turn and patiently waited for his little pupil +to pronounce their names.</p> +<p>It never would have done to make the child keep her +feet like an ordinary mortal. With great labor, three +of the miners had carried a stone of considerable size +to the spot, which served her as a seat, while receiving +instruction. It is true that she never sat still for more +than three minutes at a time, but that was enough to +establish the indispensable necessity of a chair.</p> +<p>“You are doing very well, my dear,” said the parson, +encouragingly; “you have received only a few lessons, +but have mastered the alphabet. I notice that the +‘d’s’ and ‘b’s’ and ‘h’s’ and ‘q’s’ puzzle you a little +now and then, but you have got them straight, and it is +now time that we took a lesson in spelling.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I can’t do that, Mr. Brush,” protested the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +queen, rising from the chair, adjusting her skirts and +sitting down again; “I never can spell.”</p> +<p>“What is it to spell?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know; what is it?”</p> +<p>“I can best answer your question by showing you. +Have you ever seen a cat?”</p> +<p>“Do you mean a pussy?”</p> +<p>“Yes; some folks call it that.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; when we came from where we used to +live,––I guess it must have been three or four hundred +years ago, we brought my pussy along. Her name was +Nellie, the same as mine.”</p> +<p>“What became of her?”</p> +<p>“She died,” was the sorrowful reply; “I guess she +was homesick.”</p> +<p>“That was too bad. Now will you tell me what letter +that is?”</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. Brush, don’t you know?”</p> +<p>“Yes, but I wish to find out whether you know.”</p> +<p>“It is C; anybody knows that.”</p> +<p>“And this one?”</p> +<p>“A.”</p> +<p>“That is right; now this one?”</p> +<p>“T; I hope you will remember, Mr. Brush, because +I don’t like to tell you so often.”</p> +<p>The teacher continued to drill her, skipping about +and pointing at the letters so rapidly in turn that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +was kept bowing and straightening up like a jumping-jack. +Then, allowing her to rest, he pronounced the +letters in their regular order, giving them the sounds +proper to the word itself. Nellie, who was watching +closely and listening, suddenly exclaimed with glowing +face:</p> +<p>“Why, that’s ‘cat’!”</p> +<p>“Of course; now can you say the letters without +looking at them?”</p> +<p>After one or two trials she did it successfully.</p> +<p>“There! you have learned to spell ‘cat.’ You see +how easy it is.”</p> +<p>“Does that spell ‘pussy’ too?”</p> +<p>“No,––only ‘cat.’ After a time you will be able to +spell big words.”</p> +<p>“Let me try something else, Mr. Brush.”</p> +<p>The next word tackled was ‘dog,’ which was soon +mastered. When this was accomplished, the teacher +paused for a moment. He was trying to think of another +word of three letters, but oddly enough could not +readily do so.</p> +<p>“Ah,” he exclaimed, “here is another. Now give +me the name of that letter,”</p> +<p>“D.”</p> +<p>“And that?”</p> +<p>“A.”</p> +<p>“And that?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></div> +<p>“M.”</p> +<p>“Now say them quickly, ‘d-a-m;’ what is the +word?”</p> +<p>“Why, it’s ‘dam’; O, Mr. Brush, I heard you say +that is a bad word.”</p> +<p>The teacher was thunderstruck and stammered:</p> +<p>“I didn’t think of that, but there are two kinds of +‘dam’ and this one is not a bad word. It means a +bank of earth or stones or wood, that is put up to stop +the flow of water.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_PUPIL_AND_TEACHER' id='CHAPTER_VII_PUPIL_AND_TEACHER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3><span class='smcaplc'>PUPIL AND TEACHER</span></h3> +</div> +<p>Mr. Brush glanced nervously around, to learn +whether any of his friends were within hearing, shuddering +to think what the consequences might be. He +believed that he could explain the matter to some of the +folks, but the majority were so radical in their views +that they would refuse to admit the distinction, and +would take him to task for teaching improper language +to his young pupil. It caused him another shudder at +the thought that the same penalty that Wade Ruggles +had undergone might be visited upon him, though it is +doubtful if the issue would have been similar.</p> +<p>“Ahem, Miss Nellie, when we go back home, will +you promise me to say nothing about this part of your +lesson?”</p> +<p>“You mean ’bout that bad word?”</p> +<p>“Yes,––let’s forget all about it.”</p> +<p>“I’ll try, but mebbe I’ll forget to forget it.”</p> +<p>“Likely enough,” gloomily reflected the parson; +“suppose we try some other words. Ah, we have a +visitor.”</p> +<p>At that moment Budge Isham climbed into view and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +sauntered smilingly toward them. Brush added a +whispered warning to the little one not to forget her +promise, though, since Isham was an educated man, +there ought not to have been anything to fear in his +case, but the teacher knew his waggish nature, and had +good reason to fear the mischief he would delight in +creating.</p> +<p>“Good day,” was his cheery greeting, as he came up; +“I hope I am not intruding, but I thought I should like +to see how you are getting on, Nellie.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. Brush says I am learning real fast; I can +spell ‘cat,’ and ‘dog,’ and ‘dam.’”</p> +<p>Budge raised his hands in horror.</p> +<p>“What in the name of heaven, parson, does she +mean?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Isham,” said the gentleman, severely, “are +you aware that you are using improper language in the +presence of this young lady?”</p> +<p>“Explain yourself.”</p> +<p>“It is wrong for you to appeal to heaven on so trifling +a question; it is such a near approach to profanity that +the dividing line is imperceptible. I am sorry you forgot +yourself, but I will overlook it this time.”</p> +<p>Budge was really frightened, for though the distinction +was quite fine, he felt there was some justice in the +position of the parson, but he bluffed it out.</p> +<p>“I doubt whether a jury would find me guilty, and in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +the meantime explain the remark just made by Nellie, +if you please.”</p> +<p>Thus cornered, the parson made a clean breast of it. +Isham assumed a grave expression.</p> +<p>“The only criticism I can make is upon your taste in +selecting a word, susceptible of a questionable meaning. +You know as well as I that if this should be submitted +to a jury at the Heavenly Bower this evening, the +majority would sit down on you, and it would be hard +work for you to escape the penalty.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it would,” responded the parson; “it +was a piece of forgetfulness on my part–––”</p> +<p>“Which is the plea that Bidwell and Ruggles made, +but it didn’t answer. However, I’ll say nothing about it, +knowing you will be more careful in the future, while +I shall not forget to put a bridle on my own tongue. +The trouble, however,” he added with a smile, “is to +make <i>her</i> overlook it.”</p> +<p>“She has promised she will do so.”</p> +<p>“Since that promise was made just before I got here, +she has shown how readily she can forget it.”</p> +<p>“I will give her a longer lesson than usual and thus +drive all remembrance out of her mind,” said the parson +resolutely.</p> +<p>Budge Isham folded his arms, prepared to look on +and listen, but the queen of the proceedings checked it +all by an unexpected veto.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span></div> +<p>“Mr. Brush, I feel so tired.”</p> +<p>Her face wore a bored expression and she looked +wistfully away from the blackboard toward the cabins +below them.</p> +<p>“Does your head hurt you?” inquired the teacher +with much solicitude, while the single auditor was +ready to join in the protest.</p> +<p>“No, but mebbe it will hurt me one of these days.”</p> +<p>“It isn’t wise, parson, to force the child; a great deal +of injury is done to children by cramming their heads +with useless knowledge.”</p> +<p>The teacher could not feel sure that this counsel was +disinterested, for there could be no danger of his taxing +the mental powers of the little one too severely, but +her protest could not pass unheeded.</p> +<p>“You have done very well, my child; you are learning +fast, so we’ll leave the spelling for to-morrow. +Suppose we now try the commandments: can you repeat +the first one?”</p> +<p>Nellie gave it correctly, as she did with slight assistance, +the remaining ones. She was certainly gifted +with a remarkable memory and possessed an unusually +bright mind. Budge Isham was impressed by her repetition +of the decalogue, whose meaning she was unable +fully to grasp. His frivolous disposition vanished, as +he looked upon the innocent child and watched the lips +from which the sacred words flowed. He quietly decided +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +that it would be inexcusably mean to seek any +amusement at the expense of the parson, and it may as +well be added that he never afterward referred to the +incident, while it seemed to have passed wholly from +the mind of Nellie herself. At the conclusion of the +lesson, Budge complimented teacher and pupil and said +he would be glad to certify that Mr. Brush was the best +teacher in New Constantinople, and that it was impossible +for any one to take his place. Then he bade +them good day and walked thoughtfully away, leaving +them once more to themselves.</p> +<p>These were the most precious moments of all to the +teacher, when the formal lesson was completed, and he +sat down for a little talk with his pupil. He occupied +the stone which served her for a seat, while one arm +loosely clasped the figure which stood between his +knees. She patted his cheek, played with his rough collar +and shaggy whiskers, while as he listened and replied +to her prattle, felt as never before the truth of the +declaration that of such is the kingdom of heaven.</p> +<p>“Mr. Brush,” she finally said, “do you know why I +love you?”</p> +<p>“I suppose it must be because I am so handsome,” he +replied with a smile.</p> +<p>“No; it isn’t that, for you <i>ain’t</i> handsome.”</p> +<p>“Whew! but you are not afraid to speak the truth, +little one, and I hope you will always do that. No; I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +don’t know why you love me, unless you are so good +yourself that you can’t help it.”</p> +<p>This was not exactly clear to the little one, and she +stood silent for a minute, gently fingering his long +beard. Then she thought it best to clear up the mystery +without further parley.</p> +<p>“I love you ’cause you’re good.”</p> +<p>Even though the avowal was delightful, it caused a +pang, like a knife-thrust from his accusing conscience.</p> +<p>“I am thankful to hear you say that, but, Nellie, I +am not good.”</p> +<p>“Yes, you is, but if you ain’t good, why ain’t you +good?”</p> +<p>The logic of the reply of the adult was of the same +grade as that of the child.</p> +<p>“I suppose the true reason is because I am bad. I +am sorry to say it, but I have drifted far away from +where I ought to be.”</p> +<p>The dimpled hand continued to fondle the whiskers, +and the little brain was busy, but a wisdom that was +more than human guided it. Turning those lustrous +blue eyes upon him she softly asked:</p> +<p>“Will you do what I ask you?”</p> +<p>He almost gasped, for he instinctively suspected +what was coming, but he answered without hesitation:</p> +<p>“If it is my power I will do it, though it kills me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></div> +<p>“Oh, I don’t want it to kill you; this won’t hurt you; +will you do it, Mr. Brush?”</p> +<p>“Yes, God helping me.”</p> +<p>“Do like Mr. Ruggles.”</p> +<p>“How’s that?” asked the parson with a sinking +heart.</p> +<p>“Don’t drink any more of that red water, which +makes men talk loud and sometimes say bad words.”</p> +<p>“Heavens!” thought the parson; “she little dreams +what she is asking me, but it is not she but some One +who is thus calling me back to duty. Yes, my child, I +will do what you ask.”</p> +<p>“You is as good and nice as you can be now, but +then you will be a good deal gooder and nicer,” said +she, warmly kissing him.</p> +<p>“I hope so,” he added, rising to his feet, with the +feeling that he was not himself but some one else, and +that that some one else was the young man away among +the distant hills of Missouri, before he wandered to the +West, and in doing so, wandered from the path along +which he had attempted to guide and lead others.</p> +<p>“I call myself her teacher,” he mused, as he reached +down and took the tiny hand in his own, “but she is +the teacher and I am the pupil.”</p> +<p>They had started in the direction of the cabins, when +they heard curious shouts and outcries in that direction. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +“There’s something strange going on down there,” +he said, peering toward the point; “I wonder what it +can be; let us hurry and find out.”</p> +<p>Firmly clasping her hand, the two hastened down the +incline, wondering what it was that caused all the noise +and confusion.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_THE_PASSING_YEARS' id='CHAPTER_VIII_THE_PASSING_YEARS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>THE PASSING YEARS</h3> +</div> +<p>THE excitement in New Constantinople was caused +by the arrival of Vose Adams, the mail carrier and messenger, +with his budget of letters and freight for the +Heavenly Bower.</p> +<p>These periodical journeys never occupied less than +two weeks, and in the present instance he had been absent +several days beyond that period, so that some +anxiety was felt for him, since every trip was attended +with more or less danger. He was exposed to the peril +of storms, snowslides, wild animals and hostile Indians. +The elemental disturbances in the Sierras are sometimes +of a terrific nature. Twice he had lost a mule, and +once both animals went spinning down a precipice for +a thousand feet, in an avalanche of snow and were +never found again. Vose’s only consolation in the last +instance was that it occurred when on his way to Sacramento, +while in the former case he saved one of the +precious kegs, which he insisted was the means of saving +him in turn from perishing in the Arctic temperature.</p> +<p>The shadowy trail wound in and out among the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +gorges and cañons, beside towering mountain walls, at +a dizzying elevation, over ridges above the snow line, +across table lands, through forests of pine and cedar +and tumultuous mountain torrents, where he took his +life in his hands every time he made the venture.</p> +<p>The unerring marksmanship of Vose and his alertness +reduced the danger from the fierce grizzly bears +and ravening mountain wolves to the minimum, but the +red men were an ever present peril. He had served as +the target of many a whizzing arrow and stealthy rifle +shot, but thus far had emerged with only a few insignificant +hurts. He was ready at the stated times to set +out on his journey, and appeared indeed to welcome the +change in the existence which otherwise became tiresome +and monotonous. It mattered not that his friends +often intimated that he was starting on his last venture +of that nature, for he believed that his “time” had +been set and it mattered naught what he did, since it +could not be changed.</p> +<p>Vose explained that the cause of his last delay was +the old one––Indians. They had pursued and pestered +him so persistently that he was compelled to hunt out a +new trail, longer and more difficult that the old one, and +which came within a hair of landing him into the very +camp of his enemies. However, everything had turned +out well, and he brought with him the most prized +cargo that ever arrived in New Constantinople.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span></div> +<p>First of all, were the two casks of freight, which had +suffered so slight leakage, that Landlord Ortigies complimented +the vigilance of the messenger. Then he +brought with him fully a hundred letters and newspapers. +Each citizen received one, and many had several. +In every instance, the grateful recipient paid Vose a +dollar for his mail, so that the reward was generous, including +as it did a liberal honorarium from the proprietor +of the Heavenly Bower.</p> +<p>In addition to the mail and freight, there were a number +of articles to which no special reference is needed. +In one package, however, every one was deeply interested, +and Nellie Dawson more than the others. Unknown +to the father, a goodly sum had been entrusted +to Adams, with which to purchase such articles as it +was believed the child needed. These included material +for numerous new dresses of gorgeous pattern, stockings, +shoes, slippers, ribbons, hats and even gloves, +trinkets and playthings beyond enumeration.</p> +<p>When these were spread out before the little one, she +clapped her hands and danced with delight. She had +never dreamed of or seen such bewildering wealth, and +the miners were repaid a hundred fold, while the grateful +parent thanked them for their thoughtful kindness.</p> +<p>With no other person of her sex in the settlement, it +would naturally be thought that she lacked in many of +the little attentions which only a mother or adult female +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +friend can give, but such was not the case. There was +not a man among them all, who had not been taught in +the hard school of necessity to become his own tailor +and conservator of clothing. Many had natural taste, +and had not wholly forgotten the education and training +received in the homes of civilization, before they +became adventurers and wanderers. A consensus of +views, all moved by the same gentle impulse, resulted in +Nellie Dawson being clothed in a garb which would +hardly have caused criticism in the metropolis of our +country. Not only that, but she was abundantly provided +against all kinds of weather, and with Vose +Adams making his regular trips westward, there was +no possibility of her ever knowing the want of thoughtful +care.</p> +<p>The education of the little one was never neglected. +Enough has been told to show her brightness, and even +had not her teacher been inspired by his affection for +the little one, the task of imparting knowledge to such +an apt pupil must have been a constant pleasure. This +work, as we have shown, fell by common consent to the +parson, Felix Brush, though his choice at first was not +unanimous. Wade Ruggles was so insistent that he +should have a part in the work, that he was allowed a +trial, but it cannot be said the result of several days’ +effort was satisfactory. A stealthy inspection of the +blackboard by Budge Isham and the parson disclosed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +that Ruggles had constructed the alphabet on a system +of his own. Some of the letters were reversed, several +inverted, while the forms of others prevented any one +from identifying them except the teacher himself.</p> +<p>An examination of the pupil developed the same +startling originality in Ruggles’s system of orthography, +which seemed to be a mixture of the phonetic +and the prevailing awkward method. Thus he insisted +that “purp” was the right way to spell the name of a +young dog, whose correct title was “dorg.” Ruggles +was finally persuaded to resign, though he displayed +considerable ill feeling and intimated that the movement +was inspired by jealousy of his success.</p> +<p>Budge Isham not only refrained from referring to +the slip which the parson made in his spelling lesson, +but spoke in such high terms of his success with Nellie, +that every one conceded the right teacher had been selected, +and it would be a misfortune for any one to assume +to take the place of the parson.</p> +<p>Not until the final summing up of all accounts, will +the full measure of the influence of the little one be +known. It was gentle, subtle, almost imperceptible. +Wade Ruggles never broke his resolve not to touch +liquor. Inasmuch as an appetite nourished for years, +cannot be wholly extirpated in a day, he had his moments +of intense yearning for stimulants, when the +temptation was powerful, but his will was still more so, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +and the time came when the terrific thirst vanished entirely, +though he knew it was simply “asleep” and +could be roused into resistless fury by indulgence in a +single glass.</p> +<p>The parson had a severer struggle. After holding +out for days, he yielded, and by his inordinate dissipation +brought back matters to a fair average. Then he +set about manfully to retrieve himself. A second time +he fell, and then, thank heaven! he gained the mastery. +Henceforward he was safe.</p> +<p>Maurice Dawson himself had been an occasional tippler +for years, but he felt the influence of example and +experienced no trouble in giving up the habit. Several +others did the same, while more tried but “fell by the +wayside.”</p> +<p>Landlord Ortigies noticed the diminution in his receipts, +but, strange as it may sound, down in his heart +he was not sorry. Like nine out of ten engaged in his +business he was dissatisfied, and like the same nine out +of ten, he longed for the chance to take up some other +calling which would bring him bread and butter and no +accusing pangs of conscience.</p> +<p>Before the coming of Nellie Dawson, brawls and personal +encounters often occurred. The walls of the +Heavenly Bower contained several pounds of lead. +Blood had been shed, and the history of the settlement +showed that three persons had died with their boots on, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +but those stirring days seemed to have departed forever.</p> +<p>Parson Brush did a good deal of thinking. When +through with his pupil, he was accustomed to take long +walks into the mountains, his hands clasped behind his +back and his head bowed in meditation. It is safe to +conclude that Conscience was getting in its work with +him.</p> +<p>And so the seasons came and went and the years +rolled on. Varick Thomson, an old miner, who had +spent years of fruitless toil in the diggings of Australia, +lay down and died, and the parson officiated at his +funeral. Two other miners grew weary of the poor success +in Dead Man’s Gulch and went off on a prospecting +tour deeper into the mountains. A year later another +prospecting party came upon two skeletons, near +a small stream of water, which after careful examination, +were pronounced to be those of their former +friends, doubtless victims of the ferocity of the red +men. Three vagrant miners straggled into New Constantinople +one night and were hospitably entertained +at the Heavenly Bower. Their appearance was against +them, and, when they announced their intention of +making their home at Dead Man’s Gulch, the suggestion +to them to move on was made in such terms that +they acted upon it and were never seen there again. +Thus it came about that New Constantinople, instead +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +of increasing in population and making a bid for the +chieftaincy among the new towns in the West, was +actually shrinking in numbers.</p> +<p>And all this time, Nellie Dawson was growing fast. +Her beautiful mind kept pace with the expansion of her +body. Her natural grace and perfection of figure would +have roused admiration anywhere. Her innocence and +goodness were an ever present benison to the rough +miners, who had long since learned to check the hasty +word, to restrain the rising temper and to crush the +wrongful thought in her presence.</p> +<p>After a time, Maurice Dawson took possession of +one of the deserted cabins which he fitted up, or rather +the community fitted up the principal apartment for the +young queen, whose rule was supreme. No one else +was permitted to share the building with them, though +visitors were constant and Nellie herself continually +passed to and fro among her friends.</p> +<p>But those who watched Dawson saw that a change +had come over him. Formerly there was a quiet waggery +in his nature, much like that of Budge Isham, +which led him to enjoy the rough pleasantries of his +companions, though he rarely took part in them, except +as an inciting cause. One of his greatest pleasures had +been to sit in the Heavenly Bower and exchange reminiscences +with his friends, but all that came to an end. +Night after night passed without his face being seen in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +the place. Those who called at the cabin were treated +hospitably, but he was reserved and moody, and often +failed to hear the words addressed to him. It was evident +that there was something on his mind, though he +showed no disposition to make a confidant of any one.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_THE_CLOUD_OF_WAR' id='CHAPTER_IX_THE_CLOUD_OF_WAR'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>THE CLOUD OF WAR</h3> +</div> +<p>“I KNOW the cause of Dawson’s trouble,” remarked +Vose Adams, late one night at the Heavenly Bower.</p> +<p>“What is it?” asked Wade Ruggles, while the rest +listened intently.</p> +<p>“On my last trip to Sacramento, two months ago, I +brought him a thick letter: that’s what is raising the +mischief with him.”</p> +<p>“But what was in the letter to make him act so +queer?”</p> +<p>“How should I know? do you expect me to open +and read all the letters I bring through the mountains?”</p> +<p>“Bein’ as you couldn’t read the big letters the parson +has painted on the side of the rock a foot high,” +said Al Bidwell sarcastically, “there ain’t much danger +of your doin’ that, which the same is lucky for them +as gits love letters like myself regular by each mail.”</p> +<p>“Which the same you won’t git any more onless you +sling your remarks a little more keerful,” warned the +mail carrier.</p> +<p>“And the same being that you can’t read the directions +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +writ onto them, I don’t see how you’re going to +help yourself.”</p> +<p>“The postmaster at Sacramento is very obligin’,” +was the significant comment of Vose.</p> +<p>Bidwell saw the dangerous ground on which he was +treading, and made it safe by a jesting remark and an +invitation to Adams and the rest to join him at the bar.</p> +<p>“We was on the subject of Dawson,” remarked +Ruggles from his seat, for all had learned long before +of the uselessness of inviting him to drink; “and it’s +the opinion of Vose, I understand, that it was the letter +that has made the change in him.”</p> +<p>“There ain’t any doubt about it,” said Adams; “fur +the attack took him right after; I noticed the difference +in him the next day. He sets by himself these evenings +after the little gal has gone to bed, smoking his pipe, +without any light in his shanty, and thinking hard.”</p> +<p>Wade smoked thoughtfully a minute and then remarked:</p> +<p>“I wonder whether it wouldn’t be a good idee to +app’int a committee to wait on Dawson and ask him +what the blazes is the matter and whether we can’t do +nothin’ to make a man of him agin.”</p> +<p>Since Ruggles had become accustomed to act as +chairman at the discussions in the Heavenly Bower, he +had developed a strong faith in committees.</p> +<p>“That’s a piece of the most onspeakable foolishness +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +that I’ve run aginst since I settled in New Constantinople,” +observed the landlord with a contemptuous +sniff; “the minute the committee arrove and stated +their bus’ness, Dawson would kick ’em out of his shanty +and clean across the street, and he’d be lacking in the +instincts of a man if he didn’t do that same thing.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Ortigies forgits that I didn’t mean to suggest +that <i>he</i> was to be a member of the committee; I meant +they should be <i>gentlemen</i>; consequently that bars him +out and there wouldn’t be no trouble.”</p> +<p>“I understand your sarcasm, Wade, but your words +would leave you off the committee likewise; but may I +ask what the members would ask him when they +knocked at his door?”</p> +<p>“Any gentleman wouldn’t be at a loss what to say, +fur he would only hev to remark sorter careless like +that he had observed the man was acting so queer that +we was afeard he was troubled with remorse over some +crime he’d committed, and about which he had got notice +that the officers was lookin’ fur him, but that if +he’d trust us and give a description of the officers, so +there wouldn’t be any mistake, we’d watch fur ’em up +the trail and pick ’em off afore they could profane New +Constantinople with their presence.”</p> +<p>This was a prodigious sentence for Wade, and he +leaned back and smoked his pipe with considerable self-complacency, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +but it impressed none of his hearers as he +expected. Parson Brush shook his head.</p> +<p>“It isn’t a very wise way of introducing yourself to +a man by assuming that he is a fugitive from justice. +In the first place, I am sure there is nothing of the kind +in the case of Dawson. He has probably heard some +news from the East that troubles him.”</p> +<p>“That’s just what I was sayin’,” broke in Ruggles.</p> +<p>“But not of the nature intimated by you.”</p> +<p>“What else can it be?”</p> +<p>“It might be one of a dozen things; I know you are +all wrong in your guesses.”</p> +<p>Every eye was fixed upon the parson, for all were +anxious to learn at what he was hinting. His face was +unusually grave, but he stopped speaking, as if he +deemed it indiscreet to say anything more. He noticed +the looks and whetted the curiosity by adding:</p> +<p>“I have been so disturbed over the change in Dawson +that I called on him last night and had a talk with +him.”</p> +<p>“And what did you learn?” asked Budge Isham, +the moment Brush showed an inclination to stop talking.</p> +<p>“Well, it was hard work to draw him out, but finally +he told me he had received a letter from the East, which +made him think he would have to leave us. That isn’t +the worst.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></div> +<p>All were breathless, afraid to give utterance to the +dread that until then was vague and indistinct in their +minds.</p> +<p>“He thinks he must take his daughter Nellie with +him.”</p> +<p>“What! Take her away from us? That can never +be allowed.”</p> +<p>None felt the anguish of the announcement keener +than the man who made it, but he looked calmly into +the angry faces and said:</p> +<p>“You forget, my friends, that she is his child and he +has the moral and legal right to do what he thinks is +best for her.”</p> +<p>“But where are <i>our</i> rights?” demanded Wade Ruggles; +“they mustn’t be forgot.”</p> +<p>“We haven’t any,––not a single one. But I am satisfied +that one cause of Dawson’s distress of mind is the +very question you have asked. He can never cease to +be deeply grateful to all of us for what we have done +for him and his child. He doesn’t wish to take her +away for it will be as painful to her as to us. But +friends,” continued the parson, with a sense of right +that was creditable to him, “Dawson’s first duty is to +his child. She is now twelve years old, quite a large +girl and is growing fast. She has never seen girl or +woman since she was brought here; she will soon be a +young woman; she requires association with others of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +her own sex; her welfare demands this; her education +and proper training can never be obtained in this mining +settlement.”</p> +<p>“Eddycation!” exclaimed Vose Adams; “what +have you been doing with her all this time? She must +be as far along in her studies and eddycation as me and +Ruggles.”</p> +<p>“It is to be hoped so,” replied the parson with a +smile; “I doubt whether she will meet any one of her +age as proficient in book learning as herself, but there +remains music, etiquette, and above all, the social customs +and accomplishments which can be acquired nowhere +except in the abode of civilization. There is +none upon whom this blow will fall more heavily than +myself, but I have no right to interpose when a man +is doing his duty.”</p> +<p>An exploding bomb could not have caused more consternation +than the news brought by the parson. Every +one felt the truth of his words and respected him for +their utterance, but it was like asking them to consent +to the blotting of the sun from the heavens.</p> +<p>“I see a way out of it,” finally remarked Wade Ruggles +with a brightening face; “we can compermise.”</p> +<p>“In what way?”</p> +<p>“Why, if Dawson feels that he and the gal must +go, let him split the difference atween us; he can go +and leave her; that will satisfy everybody.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></div> +<p>“It will hardly satisfy him, since the whole question +is that of taking her with him. He must be left free +to do whatever he chooses.”</p> +<p>The parson looked into the gloomy faces turned toward +him.</p> +<p>“Boys, you have all heard the news brought by the +last papers. Fort Sumter has been fired on; President +Lincoln has called for volunteers; the Southern +Confederacy has been declared and civil war has begun. +It is the intention of Dawson to offer his services to +the cause of the Union.”</p> +<p>“And I shall enlist too,” declared Wade Ruggles, +compressing his lips, “but it will be on the other side.”</p> +<p>“I’m with you,” added Budge Isham; “I am from +Alabama, and if she secedes, as she is sure to do, I am +ready to lay down my life in her defence.”</p> +<p>“Sorry, pards, but that shoves me into the Union +army,” remarked Al Bidwell, puffing quietly at his +pipe; “we must keep the balance right, but we’ll part +friends here and we’ll be friends till we shoulder our +muskets. Then we’ll do all we can to kill each other.”</p> +<p>Further discussion disclosed that the citizens of New +Constantinople were about equally divided in their allegiance, +but all of them were not yet ready to take up +arms in support of the cause with which they sympathized. +There were eight who announced their intention +of making their way to San Francisco, there to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +find the most available route to the points necessary to +reach. It was typical of that stupendous struggle, the +greatest of modern times, that four of these recruits +were ardent supporters of one cause and four equally +eager to risk their lives for the other. They were the +warmest of friends and had been for years, willing to +face any danger for the sake of the remainder. It would +be the same until they parted, and then, as one of them +had already expressed it, they would devote every energy +to trying to kill one another.</p> +<p>None of the volunteers faltered until Maurice Dawson +decided to leave his daughter at the settlement until +his return, if so be he should be permitted to return. +He knew of no better or safer place for her, nor of any +friends to whose care he would more cheerfully commit +her, in case it should be his lot to fall on the field of +battle.</p> +<p>It had been Parson Brush’s intention to be Dawson’s +comrade in his perils, but when the father begged him +to stay behind to look after his child he consented. And +so the programme, so fraught with momentous consequences, +was arranged.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_THE_BLUE_AND_THE_GRAY' id='CHAPTER_X_THE_BLUE_AND_THE_GRAY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE BLUE AND THE GRAY</h3> +</div> +<p>The four years of stupendous war came to an end. +The sun of the Southern Confederacy went down in +gloom and defeat behind the hills of Appomattox, never +to rise again, and blessed peace brooded over a reunited +nation, which shall endure through the coming +ages to the end of time.</p> +<p>It was only the faint echoes of the mighty struggle +that, faintly reverberating across prairie and mountain, +reached the little mining settlement nestling +among the solitudes of the Sierras. Vose Adams made +more frequent journeys to Sacramento, in order to +gather news of the terrific events, which were making +history at an appalling rate. Upon his return, the miners +gathered round Parson Brush, or some other one +with a good voice, who stood up, with every eye centred +on him and every ear keyed to the highest point +and they listened with breathless interest until the +thrilling story was read through to the end.</p> +<p>The same diversity of sentiment that appeared at +first continued to the last, but the parson’s earnest +words and his insistence that no quarrels should take +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +place among the neighbors prevented any outbreak, +though more than once the point was perilously near.</p> +<p>“If your sympathies are with the Union or with the +South,” he said impressively, “there is nothing to prevent +your taking up arms, but it must be on the battle +field and not here.”</p> +<p>And this wise counsel prevailed. Now and then some +ardent partisan shouldered his rifle, bade his friends +a hasty good-by and hurried away. One by one, they +went until the new recruits numbered five. Thus the +population of New Constantinople dwindled to about +one-half, and retaining its exclusive tastes, permitted +no new comers to join them, so that the boom which +in its early days was so confidently looked for sank to +zero and vanished. In truth it looked as if New Constantinople +was doomed to die of dry rot.</p> +<p>Strange news came now and then from the men who +had gone to the war. Maurice Dawson wrote often to +his daughter Nellie, whose letters, it can well be understood +were the bright spots in his life of adventure +and danger. She had improved wonderfully under the +careful tuition of Parson Brush, who, gaining experience, +as he saw the brightness of her mind, found his +work of the most pleasant nature conceivable. She displayed +a thirst for knowledge and made advances which +astonished him. The books needed for her instruction +were procured by Vose Adams in Sacramento, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +she valued such presents more than anything else. The +teacher declared many a time, with a certain pride, that +she put him upon his mettle to make clear the abstruse +problems with which he wrestled when in college.</p> +<p>“How she will surprise the boys and her father when +they come back,” reflected the parson; “it won’t take +her much longer to reach the point beyond which I cannot +lead her.”</p> +<p>To her friends who remained, the growth and improvement +of the girl were astonishing. Probably no +one of her sex ever gave nature itself a better chance +to show what she can do with a healthy frame, when +untrammeled by the fashions and requirements of modern +usages. Her lithe, comely figure was perfect. She +never knew an hour’s illness. The cheeks had the rose +tint of health, the eyes were clear, the teeth perfect and +her spirits buoyant. As one of the men expressed it, +she was like a burst of sunshine in the settlement.</p> +<p>But Parson Brush was thoughtful. He saw that +she was crossing the line into young womanhood, and +that her own interests demanded that she should go +out into the world of which he had told her so much; +that she should meet those of her own sex and learn +the mysteries of her own being. The affection of her +friends could not make up for this lack. It cost the +honest fellow many a pang when he thought of this, +but his consolation lay in the inevitable conclusion that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +nothing could be done until the return of her parent +or until his wishes were made known.</p> +<p>“If it so happens that he shall fall in battle, then a +grave problem must be met. It will not do for her to +remain here; I will talk it over with the others and we +shall make some arrangement for her good,” and with +this conclusion he was content to await the issue of +events.</p> +<p>Occasionally the parson received a letter from the +father. The missives were models in their way, telling +of his experiences in the service of the battles, +of the prospect of victory and his faith in the final triumph +of the great struggle. He thanked the teacher +for his interest in his child and assured him that his +kindness would never be forgotten by father or +daughter.</p> +<p>Vose Adams continued his frequent journeys to Sacramento, +for those were stirring times and he was as +anxious as his friends for news. Always on his return +he was met by Nellie some distance down the winding +trail, and, as soon as she was in sight, he held up the +plump letter for which she yearned, and over which she +was made happy beyond expression, and he never failed +to carry back with him the reply of the child, who knew +how much it cheered the brave soldier in the distant +East and South fighting the battles of his country.</p> +<p>For two years and more there was not a break in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +this correspondence. Dawson must have been a good +soldier, for, though he enlisted as a private, he was +soon promoted, and before the close of the two years, +was a full fledged captain, with the brevet of major. +It was about this time that one of his letters gave the +story of Gettysburg. In the hell-blast of Pickett’s +charge two of his old friends, who had left New Constantinople +to fight for the South, were riddled, and +another, marching at the captain’s side, had his head +blown off by an exploding shell. Thus in one engagement +three of the old residents of the mining settlement +were wiped out.</p> +<p>Only once or twice was any news received of Al Bidwell. +It was known that Ruggles was with the Army +of Northern Virginia, but no tidings came of Budge +Isham and Ike Hoe. The continued silence was accepted +as almost certain proof of their death, and yet +both were well and unharmed.</p> +<p>One day in early summer, two sunburned, shaggy +men rode down the mountain side and drew up their +horses in front of the Heavenly Bower. They had +ridden from the East and had come through many +hardships and dangers. One of them wore a partial +uniform of blue, while the other was of a faded, butternut +tinge. The two had been engaged for years in +trying to slay each other, inclusive of their respective +friends, but failing in the effort, gave it up when the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +final surrender took place at Appomattox. Both were +from New Constantinople, and they now turned their +faces in that direction. Starting from widely separated +points their lines of travel converged and finally +joined. When they met, there was a moment of mutual +sharp scrutiny, then an exclamation of delight, a fervent +handclasp and a moistening of the eyes, as both exclaimed:</p> +<p>“God bless you, old boy! There’s no one in the +world I would rather meet than you! Shake again!”</p> +<p>And they did, and henceforward they followed the +same trail and “drank from the same canteen.” They +shared their rations with each other, and in the regions +of the West, where danger lurked in the air, one +watched while the other slept, ready to interpose his +body as a shield between peril and his comrade.</p> +<p>And what splendid soldiers the Civil War made! +How those veterans could fight! What pluck, what +coolness, what nerve, what daring they displayed! +There was one stormy night beyond the Mississippi, +when a band of jayhawkers, believing the two men carried +a few hundred dollars, formed a plan for shooting +both for the sake of the plunder. There were six of +the outlaws at the opening of proceedings, but at the +close just half the number was left, and one of them +carried away a wound with him, from which he could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +never recover, while the defenders did not receive a +scratch.</p> +<p>“When I heard that rebel yell of yours,” remarked +the veteran who wore the blue, “it tingled through my +veins as it did at Chancellorsville, Antietam and various +other scenes of unpleasantness. I couldn’t help +sailing in.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to let out the yawp,” returned his +companion, “but when the shooting began, it was so +like old times I couldn’t help it. It was real enjoyable.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” was the dry response, “but rather more so +for us than for the other fellows.”</p> +<p>Three days later a band of Indians concluded to try +their hand upon the veterans, but the trouble was that +the red men could not get a fair chance. Before they +arrived within effective striking distance, the veterans +began shooting, and whenever they shot somebody fell. +The thing became so monotonous that the hostiles gave +it up in disgust and drew off. Thenceforward the old +soldiers had comparatively an easy time of it.</p> +<p>And so, after a ride of more than two thousand miles +on horseback, these two men entered Dead Man’s Gulch +and drew rein in front of the Heavenly Bower. Their +coming caused a sensation, for their looks showed they +were veterans of the war and were certain to bring important +news. The couple smiled and whispered to each +other, for they saw that no one suspected their identity.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></div> +<p>Among the wondering group that gathered round +was Nellie Dawson. She was profoundly interested, +for Vose Adams had made two journeys to and from +Sacramento without bringing a letter from her father. +Doubtless these men could tell her something, and she +stood on the edge of the group, waiting for them to +speak and for the opportunity to question them.</p> +<p>“Do you see her?” whispered one of the men.</p> +<p>“Yes; gracious! hasn’t she grown? Why, she was +a little girl when we left and now she’s a young +woman.”</p> +<p>“Blessed if she isn’t! She wears such long dresses +that you can see only the tiny toes of her shoes; we’ve +obsarved a good many purty women since we left these +parts, but nothing that could come up to her.”</p> +<p>“You can bet your life! She hasn’t any idee of who +we are, nor have the boys, but it looks to me as if the +parson is a little suspicious.”</p> +<p>Although the patronage of the Heavenly Bower had +shrunk a good deal, Landlord Ortigies was as genial +and hospitable as ever. The new arrivals had time only +for a few secret comments, when he came forward:</p> +<p>“Strangers, you’re welcome to the best we have, +which isn’t anything to boast of; look as if you had rid +a good many miles and you must be as tired and thirsty +as your animals. If you’ll turn ’em over to Vose Adams, +he’ll ’tend to them, and, if you’ll allow me, you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +shall have a good meal, which before the same, I beg +to tender you some distilled home brewed Mountain +Dew.”</p> +<p>Thanking the landlord for his offer, the men dismounted +and waited outside, while he brought forth +two glasses, half-filled with the fiery stuff of the poetical +name. One of the men took his and eagerly swallowed +it. The other held his aloft, where under the bright +sunlight it glowed crimson like blood. With his hand +motionless for a moment, he slowly inverted the glass +and allowed the liquid to run out on the ground.</p> +<p>“Max, I reckon you haven’t forgot when I done +something like that some four years ago,” said the man, +turning toward the astonished host.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_WAITING' id='CHAPTER_XI_WAITING'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>WAITING</h3> +</div> +<p>“Wade Ruggles, as I’m alive!” exclaimed the delighted +landlord, rushing forward and grasping his +hand. Instantly the group closed in, and there was +such laughing and handshaking that for a time nothing +was clearly distinguished.</p> +<p>“I was suspicious,” remarked the parson; “but, +though you both had beards when you went away, these +have grown so much that they have greatly altered your +appearance.”</p> +<p>He scanned the other man closely, but before the parson +had identified him, several others had done so.</p> +<p>“It’s Al Bidwell!”</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied the laughing Ruggles; “that’s the +fellow, but I’m sorry to say that since they made a major-general +of him, he’s become a reg’lar dude. He +doesn’t go out when it rains for fear of soiling his uniform, +and the noise of powder makes him sick, so be +careful how you handle the delicate fellow.”</p> +<p>“Well, you do not need to be told,” was the hearty +response of the parson, “that no one could be more +welcome than you; let’s shake hands all around again.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span></div> +<p>It was some minutes before the flurry was over, for +the delight on both sides was unbounded and the joy +of the reunion great.</p> +<p>One member of the group lingered in the background. +Her face was flushed with delighted expectancy, +but with a coyness unknown in her earlier years, +she hesitated on the outer edge of the circle. She could +not mingle with the rush and waited until the flurry was +over. The men were scarcely less embarrassed than +she, and while not appearing to see her, both were +watching her every movement. When the time came +that the meeting could no longer be delayed, Ruggles +walked to her and extended his hand.</p> +<p>“Well, Nellie, aren’t you glad to see me?”</p> +<p>The crinkling of the whiskers at the side of the invisible +mouth showed that he was laughing, and indeed +his white teeth gleamed through his wealth of +beard. Nellie promptly advanced and met him half +way.</p> +<p>“Mr. Ruggles, I can’t tell you how glad I am to +meet you again.”</p> +<p>He had been asking himself whether it would do to +kiss this vision of loveliness. He wished to do so, but +was afraid. However, the question was settled by the +girl, who, instead of taking the hand, flung her arms +about his neck and saluted him fervently, that is as well +as she could under the conditions.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></div> +<p>Al Bidwell came forward and was received in the +same manner. Then, as the two men stepped back and +looked admiringly at her, she said:</p> +<p>“I can see you are the same and yet those beards +make you look different; I love to think of you as you +were when you bade us good-by and rode off four years +ago.”</p> +<p>“We shall be glad to fix up our faces in the old +style,” said Ruggles, while his companion nodded assent. +If she had asked them to cut off their heads they +would have unhesitatingly agreed to do it.</p> +<p>“No doubt we’ve changed somewhat,” said Bidwell, +“but not one half so much as you.”</p> +<p>“As I!” she repeated in astonishment; “why, I am +just the same,” and she looked down at her dress, as if +seeking the explanation of his remark; “I haven’t +changed a bit.”</p> +<p>“Not in goodness and all that sort of thing, but we +left a little girl and now I’m blessed if we don’t find a +young woman, and yet it’s the same little girl after all.”</p> +<p>The maidenly blush darkened her face and she +laughed.</p> +<p>“You couldn’t expect me to stand still all these +years.”</p> +<p>“No; though we would have been glad if you had +done so.”</p> +<p>The three were standing apart, the others with commendable +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +delicacy leaving them to themselves. Nellie +laid her arm on the sleeve of Ruggles, and looking up +yearningly in his face she asked:</p> +<p>“Can you give me any news of father?”</p> +<p>“Being as him and me was on different sides, I +haven’t seen or heard a thing of him since we parted in +San Francisco, but I hope all has gone well with him.”</p> +<p>She turned to Bidwell, who said:</p> +<p>“Me and him was thrown together once or twice +and I met him after Gettysburg, where neither of us +got a scratch, which is more than tens of thousands of +others can say. Then I seen him in front of Petersburg, +where we had the same good luck agin, but in +the fighting round there we lost track of each other. +Are you worried about him, little gal?”</p> +<p>“Very much,” she mournfully replied; “never once +did Vose Adams come back from Sacramento without +one or two letters from him, but he has now done so +twice, and I haven’t heard a word. I fear father is +dead; if he is, my heart is broken and I shall die too.”</p> +<p>What could they say to cheer her, for Vose Adams +made still another journey westward with the same dismal +emptiness of the mail bag, so far as she was concerned. +Every one did his utmost to cheer her, but +none succeeded. The ground taken was that the parent +had set out on his return, but had been hindered by +some cause which would be explained when he finally +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +arrived. When not one of the men himself believed the +story, how could he hope to make the mourning daughter +believe it?</p> +<p>Felix Brush took a different stand from the others. +He early settled into the belief that Captain Dawson +was dead, and that it was wrong to encourage hope on +the part of the child when the disappointment must be +more bitter in the end.</p> +<p>“If you are never to see him again in this world,” +he said, at the close of a sultry afternoon, as the two +were seated on a rocky ledge near the cabin in which +she had made her home all alone during her parent’s +long absence, “what a blessed memory he leaves behind +him! Died on the field of battle, or in camp or +hospital, in the service of his country,––what more glorious +epitaph can patriot desire?”</p> +<p>“If he is dead then I shall die; I shall pray that I +may do so, so that I shall soon see him again.”</p> +<p>“My dear child, you must show some of the courage +of your parent and prove that you are a soldier’s daughter. +Your blow is a severe one, but it has fallen upon +thousands of others, and they have bravely met it. You +are young; you have seen nothing of the great world +around you––”</p> +<p>“I do not care to see anything of it,” she interrupted +with a sigh.</p> +<p>“You will feel different when you have recovered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +from the blow. It is an amazing world, my dear. The +cities and towns; the great ocean; the works of art; +the ships and steamboats; the vast structures; the railways; +the multitudes of people; the lands beyond the +seas, with still more marvelous scenes,––all these will +expand like fairy land before you and make you wonder +that you ever should have wished to leave such a realm +of beauty and miracles while in your youth.”</p> +<p>Nellie sat for some time in silence, and then rose to +her feet with a weary sigh. Without speaking, she +turned to walk away, but not in the direction of her own +home.</p> +<p>“Where are you going?” he asked.</p> +<p>“To look for him,” was her sorrowful reply.</p> +<p>It was what he suspected and feared. He knew she +had done the same thing night after night for weeks +past, even when the rains fell and the chilling blasts +made her shiver with discomfort. He could not interpose, +and with the reflection that perhaps it was as well, +he turned mournfully aside and walked slowly toward +the cabins.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, Nellie Dawson passed beyond the limits +of the settlement until all the houses were behind her. +She did not sit down, but folding her arms, after gathering +her shawl about her, bent her gaze upon the trail, +which wound in and out at the bottom of the cañon below, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +for a fourth of a mile, when a mass of projecting +rocks hid it from sight.</p> +<p>Night was closing in. Already the grim walls, thousands +of feet in height, were wrapped in gloom, and +few eyes beside hers could have traced the devious mule +path for more than a hundred yards from where she +stood. The clear sky was studded with stars, but the +moon had not yet climbed from behind the towering +peaks, which would shut out its light until near the +zenith.</p> +<p>The soft murmur of the distant waterfall, the sound +of voices behind her, the faint, hollow roar, which always +is present in a vast solitude, filled the great space +around her and made the stillness grander and more impressive.</p> +<p>All this had been in her ears many a time before, and +little heed did she give to it now. Her musings were +with that loved one, who had been silent for so many +weeks, and for whose coming she longed with an unspeakable +longing. She knew the course of the trail +so well, though she had never been far over it, that she +was aware at what point he must first appear, if he ever +appeared, and upon that point she centered her attention.</p> +<p>“Something tells me that when father comes it will +be in the night time,” she said; “I know he has tried +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +hard to reach me, and what could it be that held him +back? I will not believe he is dead until––”</p> +<p>Her heart gave a quicker throb, for surely that was +a faint sound in the path, though too far off for her to +perceive the cause. She could not tell its precise nature, +but fancied it was the footfall of some animal. +She took several quick steps forward on tiptoe, with +head extended, peering and listening, with all her senses +at the highest tension.</p> +<p>Hark! she heard it again. Surely it was the noise of +hoofs, for it was repeated and the sounds ran into each +other as if the animal were trotting or galloping, or +mayhap there was more than one of them.</p> +<p>Yes; some one was drawing nigh on the back of +horse or mule. There was no mistaking the hoof beats, +and in the gloom the figure of an animal and his rider +assumed vague form, growing more distinct each moment. +Nellie broke into a run, her arms outstretched +and her hair flying.</p> +<p>“Father! father! I know it is you! It is I––Nellie, +your own Nellie, who has waited so long for you! You +have come at last!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_HOME_AGAIN' id='CHAPTER_XII_HOME_AGAIN'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>HOME AGAIN</h3> +</div> +<p>The horseman coming up the trail had assumed +definite form. Checking his animal he sat transfixed +until the flying girl was beside him. Then he bent forward +and in a choking voice, answered:</p> +<p>“Yes, Nellie, it is your father! God be thanked for +permitting me to come to you again. And you are Nellie! +But how grown!”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson leaned over the side of his horse +and, passing his strong arm around the waist of his +daughter, lifted her up in front of him. Then he pressed +his lips to hers, and half-laughing and half-crying +asked:</p> +<p>“Who’s the happier, you or I?”</p> +<p>“You can’t be any happier than I; but, father,” she +added in amazement, “where is your other arm?”</p> +<p>“Buried in Southern Virginia as a memento of my +work for the Union, but, my dear child, <i>I</i> am here; isn’t +<i>that</i> enough?”</p> +<p>“Yes, bless your heart!” she exclaimed, nestling up +to him; “it all seems like a dream, but it <i>isn’t</i>, for I can +feel you. I am so sorry,” she added, noticing the sleeve +pinned to his breast; “how you must have suffered.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></div> +<p>“Nonsense! it isn’t anything to lose an arm; it’s not +half so bad as having your head blown off or both legs +carried away. After going nearly through the war +without a scratch, I caught it just before Appomattox, +but thousands were less fortunate and I am thankful.”</p> +<p>“But why did you not write to me and tell me all +this? Mr. Brush was sure you were dead, and I know +the rest thought so, too, though they didn’t talk that +way.”</p> +<p>“I did have a close call; I got the fever while in the +hospital and didn’t know so much as my own name for +several weeks. Then, when well enough to write, I +concluded to come myself, believing I could keep up +with any letter and you would be gladder to see me than +to receive anything I might send.”</p> +<p>While these words were passing the steed remained +motionless, but Nellie had observed from the first that +her parent had a companion.</p> +<p>“Father,” she whispered, “you have some one with +you.”</p> +<p>“Yes, my child, I had forgotten it in my delight at +meeting you.”</p> +<p>A horseman was sitting as motionless as a statue in +the trail behind them, the form of himself and animal +clearly outlined in the obscurity. He had not spoken +nor stirred since the coming of the girl. The head of +the steed was high, but beyond and above it loomed the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +head and shoulders of the man sitting upright, like an +officer of dragoons. The gloom prevented a fair view +of his countenance, but Nellie fancied he was of pleasing +appearance and wore a mustache.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson turned his head and looked over his +shoulder, as if to locate the man.</p> +<p>“That is Lieutenant Russell; he served under me +during the latter part of the war; he is my friend, Nellie, +for he saved my life. Lieutenant,” added the captain, +elevating his voice, “this is my daughter Nellie +of whom you heard me speak so often.”</p> +<p>The young officer lifted his cap, the graceful gesture +being plainly seen and replied with a pleasant laugh.</p> +<p>“Miss Dawson, I am glad to become acquainted with +you and hope I shall soon be favored with a better +view.”</p> +<p>“And I hope to see more of the one that was the +means of saving my dear father,” she was quick to +reply.</p> +<p>“Well, I guess that was equal on both sides, for I +should never have reached this place but for him.”</p> +<p>“Father, what is <i>that</i>?” abruptly asked Nellie, +shrinking closer to him; “have you a bear following +you?”</p> +<p>That which caused the startled question was a huge +animal, which came slowly forward from the gloom in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +which he had been enveloped. The horses showed no +fear of him, and he sniffed at the skirts of the girl.</p> +<p>“Don’t be alarmed,” replied her father; “you may +consider him a lion or tiger or both combined. He is +Lieutenant Russell’s dog Timon, one of the biggest, +fiercest, but most intelligent and affectionate of his kind. +We three are comrades, so you must accept him, too, as +your friend.”</p> +<p>The two now gave rein to their horses and within +briefer time than would be supposed, every man in New +Constantinople knew of the arrival of the couple and +had given them right royal welcome. It was the most +joyous incident in the history of the little mining settlement. +Every one knew of the corroding grief of +Nellie Dawson, and there was not a heart that did not +go out in sympathy to her. All were gathered around +and within the crowded quarters of the Heavenly +Bower, where the two men and Nellie ate their happy +evening meal. Then the pipes were lighted, and with +the girl perched upon her father’s knee, the rest listened +to his story, which he summarized, leaving the +particulars for a more convenient occasion.</p> +<p>“I am sorry my long silence caused misgiving,” said +he looking round in the faces of his friends, “but it +could not be very well helped. You have noticed that +whereas I left New Constantinople with two arms, I +am now one short. As I told Nellie, that happened in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +the very last days of the war. It was quite a loss, but +you have little idea of how soon a man can become accustomed +to it. The fact is,” added the soldier, with +a grim smile, “things are moving so well with me that +I wouldn’t give much to have the old limb back again. +I have no doubt General Howard feels the same way.”</p> +<p>“The pruned oak is the strongest,” observed Parson +Brush.</p> +<p>“Provided it isn’t pruned too much. With my +wound came an attack of fever, which brought me +nearer death than I ever was in battle, but I came out of +it all and here we are.”</p> +<p>“What route did you take, captain?” asked Wade +Ruggles.</p> +<p>“By steamer to the Isthmus, then up the coast to +San Francisco. There the lieutenant and I joined a +party to Sacramento and each bought a good strong +horse. He had brought his dog Timon all the way +from Virginia, where he was given to him by an old +friend who wore the gray. We were hopeful of meeting +Vose Adams in Sacramento, but he had not been +there for weeks. Instead of him, whom should we +come across but Ike Hoe, who was also getting ready +to start for this place. We three set out nearly ten days +ago, but Ike is still in the mountains.”</p> +<p>This was said with so grave a face that all knew what +it meant.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></div> +<p>“I never heard of the Indians being so troublesome. +For three days and nights it was little else than fighting. +In the darkness we would steal off and hunt for +some new way through the mountains, but it mattered +not where we went, for we were sure to run against +some of them.”</p> +<p>“How was it that Hoe met his death?” asked the +parson.</p> +<p>“It was on the third night. We hadn’t seen a thing +of the Indians since the noon halt and were hopeful they +had given up the hunt for us. We hadn’t eaten a mouthful +for twenty-four hours and were hungry enough to +chew our boots. Ike found a place among the rocks, +where a camp fire couldn’t be seen for more than a few +rods and started a blaze. The lieutenant had brought +down an antelope, and if we could get a chance to cook +the steak, we were sure of the right kind of a meal. +Well, we broiled enough to give each all he wanted. +Ike leaned back with a pleasant smile on his face and +remarked that it was worth all the risk to get such a +feast, when I caught the flicker of something like the +dart of a small bird between him and me. Before I +could make out what it was, Ike gave a groan, and rolling +over backward, never spoke or stirred. I saw the +feathered end of an arrow sticking up above his breast. +The head had gone clean through him and it must have +split his heart in two.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></div> +<p>“But was neither you or the lieutenant harmed?”</p> +<p>“That is the remarkable part of it. The lieutenant +saw the arrow before I did and warned me. We darted +back in the darkness with our guns ready, but saw and +heard nothing more of the Indians. What was remarkable +about it was that only the single arrow should have +been launched at Ike.”</p> +<p>“It looks as if there was but the single Injin,” suggested +Bidwell.</p> +<p>“That is the way we interpreted it.”</p> +<p>“And that was the end of your troubles with the Indians?”</p> +<p>“Not quite, but they bothered us only once more and +then they managed to get us into a corner, where it +would have been the last of me had it not been for the +lieutenant and Timon. I tell you–––”</p> +<p>The captain stopped short and smiled. He had seen +the protesting expression on the face of the young officer, +and said:</p> +<p>“We’ll keep that story till some time when he isn’t +present. But there is another fact which I observed. +There are more white men in the mountains than ever +before and the numbers will increase. The close of the +war has released nearly a million soldiers, who must +make a living somehow. Some will come westward. +You have preserved this place as an exclusive residence +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +for yourselves, but you won’t be able to do it much +longer.”</p> +<p>All saw the truth of these words, and knew trouble +would inevitably follow the mingling of uncongenial +spirits, but they concluded it would be time enough to +meet it when it came, without allowing the fear to disturb +the pleasure of the present communion. Lieutenant +Fred Russell could not fail to be an individual of +keen interest to those who had never before seen him. +While the captain was talking, he sat modestly in the +background, smoking his brierwood, listening as intently +as if everything said was new to him. It was +noticed that like several of the rest, he did not drink at +the bar, though he received numerous invitations. +Truth to tell, he had been quite a drinker, but during +that eventful journey through the mountains, when +Captain Dawson was talking of his daughter, as he +loved to do, he named those who had reformed as the +result of Nellie’s influence. The young officer made no +comment, but it struck him that if those rough, hardy +men could abstain, it ought not to be difficult for him to +do the same, and he did it.</p> +<p>Few men were more prepossessing than the lieutenant. +He was educated, about twenty-four years of age, +and undeniably handsome. His campaigns of exposure, +hardship and fighting had hardened his frame into the +mould of the trained athlete. The faded uniform which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +he still wore became him well. The ruddy cheeks had +grown swarthy and browned, but when he removed his +cap, the upper part of his forehead showed as white and +fair as that of a woman.</p> +<p>His nose was slightly aquiline, just enough to give +character to his countenance, the hair which was rather +scant, was dark like the mustache and the small tuft on +his chin. He wore fine, high cavalry boots, reaching +above the knees, a sword and like the captain was armed +with revolver and Winchester rifle.</p> +<p>Crouched at his feet was his massive dog Timon, an +object of as much interest as his master; for, curious as +it may seem, he was the only canine ever owned in New +Constantinople. He was of mixed breed, huge, powerful +and swift, seeming to combine the sagacity and intelligence +of the Newfoundland, the courage of the bull +dog, the persistency of the bloodhound and the best +qualities of all of them. Seeming to understand that he +was among friends, he rested his nose between his paws +and lay as if asleep, but those who gazed admiringly at +him, noted that at intervals he opened one of his eyes +as if to say:</p> +<p>“Strangers, I guess it is all right, but I’m taking no +chances.”</p> +<p>Coming with the credentials that no one else ever +bore, Lieutenant Fred Russell was sure of a warm reception +at New Constantinople. The depletion of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +population had left more than one cabin vacant and the +best of these was turned over to him. In it he found +cooking utensils, rough but serviceable bedding and accommodations +and much better comforts than he was +accustomed to during his campaigning. Having no immediate +relatives, he had followed the discreet course of +Captain Dawson, who deposited nearly all of his accumulated +pay in a savings institution in the East, reserving +only enough to insure their arrival on the Pacific +coast.</p> +<p>Russell, like so many turned from consumers into +producers by the end of hostilities, was obliged to decide +upon the means of earning a livelihood. He had +begun the study of law, at the time he answered the call +for volunteers, and would have had no difficulty in taking +it up again; but, somehow or other, he did not feel +drawn thitherward. He disliked the confinements of +office work and the sedentary profession itself. He +wanted something more stirring, and active, and calling +for out door life. It was when he was in this mood, +that Captain Dawson urged him to accompany him to +the gold diggings in the Sierras.</p> +<p>“So far as I can learn,” explained the captain, “the +mines haven’t panned out to any great extent, but there +is no doubt that there are millions of dollars in gold in +the mountains, and if it isn’t at New Constantinople, it +is not far off.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></div> +<p>“I shall accept your invitation,” replied the junior +officer, “with the understanding that if the prospect is +not satisfactory, I shall feel at liberty to go somewhere +else.”</p> +<p>“That’s the constitutional right of every American +citizen.”</p> +<p>“I am not as far along in years as you, but I am old +enough to feel that no person ought to fritter away the +most valuable years of his life.”</p> +<p>And thus it was that the lieutenant went to New +Constantinople and received the heartiest welcome +from every one there. And yet among these citizens +were two that had lately become partners and sharers +of the same cabin, and who were oppressed with misgiving.</p> +<p>“I tell you,” said the parson late at night, when he +and Wade Ruggles were smoking in their home, with +no one near enough to overhear them; “Captain Dawson +has made the mistake of his life.”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“In bringing Lieutenant Russell to New Constantinople.”</p> +<p>“I don’t quite foller your meaning, parson.”</p> +<p>“Yes, you do; you understand it as well as myself.”</p> +<p>“I have a suspicion of it, but are you afraid to trust +me?”</p> +<p>“You ought to know better than to ask that.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span></div> +<p>“Go ahead then and give me the partic’lars.”</p> +<p>“In the first place then, the lieutenant is young and +good looking.”</p> +<p>“Unfortinitly there can’t be any doubt of that.”</p> +<p>“Nellie Dawson has never seen a handsome young +man–––”</p> +<p>“Exceptin’ you and me, and we ain’t as young as we +once was.”</p> +<p>“She is now a young woman and ready to fall in +love, and just at the right hour, or rather the very worst +hour, the captain brings the man here.”</p> +<p>“You have spoke the exact thoughts I had in mind +all along; you’re right, parson.”</p> +<p>He would have been better pleased had Ruggles contradicted +him. He did not wish to believe that which +he could not help believing.</p> +<p>“We must treat him well because the captain brings +him and he has saved the captain’s life, but, Wade, <i>we +must watch them both close</i>.”</p> +<p>“I agree with you agin, but what shall we do if we +find him making love to the little gal?”</p> +<p>The parson’s fierce reply showed how deeply his feelings +were stirred.</p> +<p>“Warn him just once!”</p> +<p>“I feel as bad about it as you do, but, parson, I +haven’t forgot that afore the war broke out, and we +was afeard the captain meant to take the gal away to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +have her eddycated, you told us it was none of our bus’ness +and he had the right to do as he thought best with +his own child.”</p> +<p>“All that was true at the time, but the conditions +have changed.”</p> +<p>“<i>Now</i> I can’t foller you. ’Spose the captain is agreeable?”</p> +<p>“He <i>won’t</i> be!” exclaimed Brush, who in the depth +of his excitement added an exclamation which sounded +perilously like profanity. But for the parson’s intense +earnestness, Ruggles would have quizzed him, but he +pitied the man and at the same time was distressed himself.</p> +<p>“I hope you’re right, but I doubt it. We’ve all felt +for a good while that sooner or later, we must lose the +little one. Now that she’s growed up, the captain may +feel more than ever that she must be took off to some +town where all the men ain’t savages, and she can see +some of her own kind.”</p> +<p>“If he puts it that way, we shall have to submit. He +can take her where he wills, for my position is the same +as four or five years ago, but nobody else must take her +from among us.”</p> +<p>Ruggles’s mood was now quite similar to that of his +partner.</p> +<p>“If I see anything wrong in the doings of that pretty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +faced young officer, I’ll shoot him down like a mad +dog.”</p> +<p>“So will I.”</p> +<p>The two were in the ugliest temper conceivable. They +continued to smoke, but their meditations were tumultuous +and revengeful. Each breast contained a +strange disturbing secret that either would have died +before confessing, but nevertheless, it was there and +had taken ineradicable root within the past days and +weeks.</p> +<p>Felix Brush, as the reader knows, had been the instructor +of Nellie Dawson from infancy. He was the +medium through which she had gained an excellent +book education. He had held many long confidential +talks with her. She, in her trusting innocence, had told +him more of her inmost thoughts, her self communings, +her dim, vague aspirations, than she imparted to anyone +else.</p> +<p>And he could not but notice her wonderful budding +beauty. Surely, he thought, such a winsome creature +was never born. He had begun to ask himself in a +whispered, startled way: “Why may I not possess this +mountain flower? True, I am much her senior, but I +will nourish, protect and defend her against the world, +as no younger man could or would. She believes in my +goodness, far more than I deserve. I will cultivate the +affection within her of whose nature she has as yet no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +comprehension. By and by, when she is a few years +older, perhaps I may claim her. More extraordinary +things have happened and are happening every day. I +have but to keep her uncontaminated from the world, +of which I have told her so much, so that when she goes +forth, she shall be under my guardianship––the most +sacred guardianship of all for it shall be that of husband.”</p> +<p>“Aye,” he added, his heart throbbing with the new, +strange hope, “all this, please heaven, shall come to +pass if things go on as they are, and no younger man +with better looks crosses my path.”</p> +<p>And now that younger and better looking man had +crossed his path.</p> +<p>The knowledge seemed to rouse all the dormant resentment +of his nature, and to undo the good that the +girl herself had done in the years that were gone. He +felt that if he lost her, if his cherished dream was to be +rudely dissipated, he would go to perdition.</p> +<p>And somewhat similar in range and nature were the +communings of Wade Ruggles, who until this eventful +evening, had cherished a hope, so wild, so ecstatic, so +strange and so soul-absorbing that he hardly dared to +admit it to himself. At times, he shrank back, terrified +at his presumption, as does the man who has striven to +seize and hold that which is unattainable and which it +would be sacrilege for him to lay hands upon.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></div> +<p>“I’m three months younger than the parson,” he +would reflect when the more hopeful mood was upon +him; “neither of us is in danger of being hung for our +good looks, but I’ve got the bulge on him dead sure. I +had too much in the way of whiskers to suit the little +one, when I came back from the war; she wanted to see +me as I was when I left; <i>why was that</i>?”</p> +<p>After pausing for a reply, he continued:</p> +<p>“So accordin’ I trimmed ’em off and she says I’m +better looking than ever, and what she says in Dead +Man’s Gulch and New Constantinople, goes. She +meant it, too, as I could see by the sparkle of her eyes.</p> +<p>“I went all through the war without swallerin’ a +mouthful of strong drink, even when the doctor ordered +it. I’ve contrived, sort of accerdental and off hand like, +to let her know them circumstances and I’ve seen it +pleased her immense. I’ve been layin’ out some of my +money for clothes, too, since I got back. Vose bought +me a coat in Sacramento, blue with brass buttons. I’ve +had a necktie that has been laid away till the proper +time comes to put it on. There are three or four yards +of silk in it and it will knock a rainbow out of sight. I +didn’t want to overwhelm her too sudden like, and have +been layin’ back for the right occasion.</p> +<p>“It’s arriv! I must knock that leftenant out, and that +necktie will do it! I’m mighty glad the parson hain’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +got any foolish dreams ’bout the gal. The leftenant is +the only galoot I’ve got to look out for, or rather,” +added the miner grimly, “I’m the one he’s got to beware +of. I’m in dead earnest this time.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_YOUNG_LOVES_DREAM' id='CHAPTER_XIII_YOUNG_LOVES_DREAM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>YOUNG LOVE’S DREAM</h3> +</div> +<p>That which in the nature of things was inevitable +came to pass. Lieutenant Russell, in the same moment +that his eyes rested upon Nellie Dawson, was smitten, +as hopelessly as ever ardent lover was smitten by the +lady whom he worshiped. The many things which the +father had told him about his daughter naturally excited +interest in her, but the young officer never +dreamed of looking upon such marvelous beauty as that +which met his gaze in that secluded cañon of the +Sierras. It required all his self-control from drawing +attention to himself by his admiration of her.</p> +<p>“I never saw such a perfect combination of face, +feature and figure,” he reflected when alone. “It is an +illustration of what nature can do when left to herself. +Then, too, she has a fund of knowledge that is amazing, +when all the circumstances are considered. I +haven’t had much chance to converse with her, but I +heard enough to know that she would shine by virtue +of her mind among the most accomplished of her sisters, +who have had every advantage that civilization +can give. She is a flower nourished on a mountain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +crag, exhaling all its fragrance, untainted by a poisonous +breath from the outer world. Who would have +dared to say that amid this rough, uncouth people, such +loveliness could take root and nourish? And yet it is +that loveliness which has permeated and regenerated +the miners themselves. But for her these nights would +be spent in drinking, roistering, fighting and carousing. +It is her blessed influence, which unconsciously to herself +has purified the springs of life. Like the little +leaven she has leavened the whole lump.”</p> +<p>The passing days increased his interest in her, until +very soon he confessed to himself that he was deeply +in love with Nellie Dawson. She had become dearer to +him than his own life. He could not live without the +hope of gaining and possessing her. He would remain +in New Constantinople and starve, even though a Golconda +was discovered a few miles away. He would +linger, hopeful, buoyant and believing that the dream +of his existence was to be crowned with perfect fruition.</p> +<p>But the sagacious lieutenant had learned to be observant +and to note the most trifling things that escape +the eyes of the majority of persons. Thus it was that +the secret which Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush believed +was hidden, each from everyone except himself, +became as clear as noonday to him. He pitied them +and yet he extracted a grim amusement from the fact.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span></div> +<p>“They are hopelessly infatuated with her; they are +excessively jealous and would rather shoot me than +have me win. They are more than double her age, and +yet they can see no incongruity in hoping to win her. +They will hope on until the awakening comes. Then +they will be my deadliest enemies. I shouldn’t be surprised +if I receive a call and warning from them, but +neither they nor the whole world shall turn me from the +prize which is more than all the gold, mined or unmined, +in the Sierras.”</p> +<p>No one could have been more circumspect than the +young man. He treated Nellie Dawson with the chivalrous +respect of a Crusader of the olden time. He was +always deferential, and, though he managed frequently +to meet and chat with her, yet it invariably had the appearance +of being accidental. Fortunately his feeling +of comradeship for Captain Dawson gave him a legitimate +pretext for spending many evenings in his cabin, +where it was inevitable that he should be thrown into +the society of the daughter.</p> +<p>Wade Ruggles and the parson noted all this with +growing resentment. When it had continued for several +weeks, the two friends had a conference over the +situation.</p> +<p>“I tell you, parson, it won’t do to wait any longer,” +observed Ruggles, puffing away at his pipe; “things is +getting dangerous.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span></div> +<p>“Do you think so?” asked his companion, who held +precisely the same opinion, but disliked to admit it.</p> +<p>“There isn’t a particle of doubt of it.”</p> +<p>“Let me see,––we agreed to give him warning didn’t +we?––just once.”</p> +<p>“Yes,––it’s only fair that you should let a man know +afore you hit him, so he can brace himself for the shock, +as it were.”</p> +<p>“Well, if we are going to do it, there is no use of +waiting.”</p> +<p>“No use! It’ll git worse every day. Let’s go over to +his place now.”</p> +<p>“It isn’t likely we’ll find him there; he spends nearly +every evening in the cabin of Captain Dawson.”</p> +<p>Neither fancied the task, and, had not their feelings +been so wrought up, they never could have been induced +to undertake it, but because of their misgivings, +nothing could have dissuaded them from their purpose.</p> +<p>“When he comes to think soberly of it,” added Ruggles, +“he’ll thank us for giving him warning in time. +If we wait much longer, it might be too late; we +couldn’t scare him off the track, but now he’ll show his +sense by stopping at once.”</p> +<p>The two passed out of the house and walked to the +cabin of Lieutenant Russell. Relieved, and yet in a certain +sense dismayed, they found the young officer at +home engaged in reading. The instant he saw and admitted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +them, he knew the errand on which they had +come. Except for the grave question involved, that +which followed would have been a delicious comedy. +The lieutenant could not have treated a brother with +greater cordiality and never did host shine more brilliantly. +He fell to talking of war times, drew out Ruggles, +interested the parson and gave some of his own +stirring experiences. They remained two hours and +went away charmed, without having once referred to +Nellie Dawson. They voted the young man a good fellow, +concluded they were mistaken about his admiring +the young lady, and thought it lucky they had not made +fools of themselves.</p> +<p>When they were clear of the house, Lieutenant Russell +laughed heartily.</p> +<p>“Their faces gave them away; they were loaded and +primed, but I drew their charges; to-night they will +vote me one of the best fellows that ever lived; to-morrow +they will begin to doubt, and by and by the sweetest +privilege they can ask will be to shoot me.”</p> +<p>Perhaps the most curious feature of the tragical incidents +that followed was the obtusiveness of Captain +Dawson. What every one else saw was veiled from +him, until at times he almost seemed wilfully blind. The +two men had gone through many perilous experiences +together, and sometimes alone. It had been the fortune +of the younger officer to serve the elder, more than once +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +when in imminent danger and none could be more +grateful than the captain.</p> +<p>As for Nellie Dawson herself, it is unlikely that for a +time she suspected the truth in all its fulness. She +knew that hers was a peculiarly sweet enjoyment, while +her deft fingers were busy with some needlework, to +listen to the reminiscences of the two. Sometimes she +started with a shock of alarm, when the father pictured +in his graphic way a situation from which it seemed no +escape was open to him. Forgetful for the moment of +the fact that he was there before her, alive and well, she +fairly held her breath, until the <i>denouement</i> came. Not +until then were her fears wholly relieved.</p> +<p>And when the parent rendered such glowing tributes +to the bravery of the young officer, recalling events of +so thrilling a nature that the lieutenant never would +have dared to describe them in similar terms, how could +the daughter help the kindling of admiration for the +handsome young man? How could she avoid feeling +grateful, when she knew that he had risked his life for +her parent, even on their late journey through the +mountains? In truth, everything tended to fan the +flame that had already been kindled in both hearts.</p> +<p>It was late one night, after the tired Nellie had withdrawn, +that the visitor made her the subject of the conversation, +the approach being so tactful, that the captain +had no suspicion of its object.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></div> +<p>“Do you intend to spend all your life in this out of +the way corner of the world?” was the question of the +lieutenant.</p> +<p>“Probably I shall. Just before I went to war, I became +convinced that my duty to my daughter demanded +I should move to the East, in order to give her the education +she can never receive here. However, when I +went to the war, there was no place except this where I +could leave her. When I come back, I find her a young +woman, with excellent book knowledge, thanks to +Brush and the kind attention of the others. Sometimes +I think that she is so innocent and ignorant of evil, that +it will be better for her to spend the rest of her life +here.”</p> +<p>“It is a serious matter, but neither you nor she should +be content to remain in this place for the rest of your +lives.”</p> +<p>“Why not? Does that which she can learn elsewhere +outweigh that which she will never learn in this secluded +settlement? Is not the man or woman fortunate +who never comes face to face with the ingratitude, the +treachery, the selfishness, the baseness and the sin +which are the accompaniments of civilization? In this +untainted mountain air, her nature will retain its freshness +and purity; her life will be a well spring of happiness +and goodness to all with whom she comes in contact; +I shall never marry, and mean to keep her by me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +until in the order of nature I am called away. That is +the only boon that I ask from heaven.”</p> +<p>“But may not all this be hers and yours if the flower +is transplanted from the wilderness into a more congenial +soil? Has she not already acquired that rugged +strength which renders her nature secure against evil? +Is she not doubly panoplied in goodness by the training +of her infancy and girlhood?”</p> +<p>“I would like to think so, but, lieutenant, I have +lived a few years longer than you. She <i>might</i> not be +safe there; I <i>know</i> she is here.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_THUNDERBOLT' id='CHAPTER_XIV_THE_THUNDERBOLT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>THE THUNDERBOLT</h3> +</div> +<p>Lieutenant Russell was treading on delicate +ground, where the utmost caution was necessary. He +must not alarm his friend. He smoked a few minutes +in silence.</p> +<p>“It is not for me to give counsel to my captain, but is +it not a fact that selfishness grows upon us with advancing +years?”</p> +<p>“Very likely.”</p> +<p>“Has it occurred to you that in concluding to pass +the remainder of your days in this mining settlement, +you are thinking more of yourself than of your child?”</p> +<p>“What have I said that warrants that question?” +asked the captain sharply.</p> +<p>“No higher motive than to protect a daughter from +harm can inspire a father, but if she should be allowed +to close your eyes, when you come to lie down and die, +it will be hers to live: what <i>then</i>?”</p> +<p>“I shall leave her comfortably provided for. My +pay amounted to a goodly sum when the war ended, +and it is placed where no one else can reap the benefit of +it. Then, too, as you know we have struck considerable +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +paying dirt of late. The prospects are that New Constantinople, +even if a small town, will soon be a rich +one.”</p> +<p>Lieutenant Russell groaned in spirit. Would the parent +never understand him?</p> +<p>“Then you expect her to remain here, sharing in all +the vicissitudes of the place? It cannot always stand +still; it will either increase, bringing with it many bad +elements, or it will cease to exist and these people will +have to go elsewhere: what then of the child whom +you have left behind you?”</p> +<p>“Oh, by that time,” airily replied the father; “she +will be married to some good honest fellow, like the +parson, who seems to be fond of her, as I know she is +of him, but I will not allow her to think of marriage for +a long while to come,” he added with emphasis.</p> +<p>Lieutenant Russell had heard all he wished. He had +learned that the father would not consent to the marriage +of his daughter for a number of years, and when +that time came, he would select one of the shaggy, uncouth +miners for her life partner.</p> +<p>“He has never thought of <i>me</i> in that capacity, but he +will have to entertain the thought before he is much +older.”</p> +<p>In her dreamings of the mysterious world, with its +teeming multitudes and all manner of men, Nellie Dawson +was sure that none lived who could compare with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +this young cavalier who had come out from that wonderful +realm into the loneliness of her mountain home, +bringing with him a sunshine, a glow, a radiance, a +happiness, and a thrilling life which she had never believed +could be hers.</p> +<p>She often sat with her eyes upon his countenance, +when, in his chair opposite her father, he recalled those +marvelous experiences of his. To her no man could +ever possess so musical a voice, and none so perfect +features and winning ways. It was young love’s dream +and in her heart the sacred flame was kindled and +fanned until her whole being was suffused and glowed +with the new life.</p> +<p>One of Lieutenant Russell’s firsts acts of kindness to +Nellie Dawson was to present her with his massive +dog Timon. She had shown great admiration from the +first for the magnificent brute, who became fond of her. +The maiden was delighted beyond measure and thanked +the donor so effusively that he was embarrassed. It is +not probable, however, that Timon himself was ever +aware of the change of ownership, for it brought no +change of conditions to him. He had learned to divide +his time about equally between the home of the +lieutenant and that of Captain Dawson, while, like the +young lady herself, he wandered about the settlement +at will. He was a dignified canine, who stalked solemnly +through New Constantinople, or took a turn in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +Dead Man’s Gulch, resenting all familiarity from every +one, except from the only two persons that had ever +owned him.</p> +<p>The lieutenant reflected much upon his conversation +with Captain Dawson, the impression which he had received +being anything but pleasant. “He considers +himself unselfish, and yet like all such he is selfishness +itself. He has determined to spend the rest of his days +in this hole and to keep her with him. He won’t allow +her to marry for years, because it might interfere with +his own pleasure; then he intends to turn her over to +that lank, shaggy-faced Brush, who pretends to be a +parson. The captain never thinks of <i>me</i> as having any +claims upon her love. To carry out his plan would be a +crime. If she objects to Brush, he will probably give +her a choice from the whole precious lot, including +Ruggles, Adams, Bidwell, or Red Mike, the reformed +gambler.</p> +<p>“Never once has he asked himself whether his +daughter may not have a preference in the matter, but, +with the help of heaven, he shall not carry out this outrage.”</p> +<p>In the solitude of his own thoughts, the lover put the +question to himself:</p> +<p>“Am <i>I</i> unselfish in my intentions?”</p> +<p>Selfishness is the essence of love. We resolve to obtain +the one upon whom our affections are set, regardless +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +of the consequences or of the future. It is <i>our</i> happiness +which is placed in the balance and outweighs +everything else.</p> +<p>“Of course,” continued the young officer in his self-communing, +“I shall be the luckiest fellow in the world +when I win her and she will be a happy woman. Therefore, +it is her good which I seek as much as my own.”</p> +<p>How characteristic of the lover!</p> +<p>“I shall not abduct her. If she tells me she does not +love me; if she refuses to forsake all for me, then I +will bid her good-by and go off and die.”</p> +<p>How characteristic again of the lover!</p> +<p>And yet it may be repeated that Lieutenant Russell +was the most guarded and circumspect of men. He no +longer argued with Captain Dawson, for it was useless. +He rather lulled his suspicion by falling in with his +views, and talked of the future of parent and daughter, +as if it were one of the least interesting subjects that +could come between them.</p> +<p>On one of Vose Adams’s pilgrimages to Sacramento, +he returned with a superb mettled pony, the gift of +Lieutenant Russell. With this pet she soon became a +daring and accomplished horsewoman. She was an expert, +too, with the small Winchester and revolver which +her father brought with him from the East. Perched +like a bird upon her own Cap, as she named him, she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +often dashed for a mile down the trail, wheeling like a +flash and returning at full speed.</p> +<p>“Have a care,” said Parson Brush, more than once; +“you ride like a centaur and none knows better how to +use firearms, but there are Indians in these mountains +and they sometimes approach nigh enough to be seen +from New Constantinople. Then, too, your father +brought word that other miners are working their way +toward us. More than likely there are bad men among +them whom it is best you should not meet.”</p> +<p>“But none would harm <i>me</i>,” was the wondering reply +of the miss; “are not all of my own race my +friends?”</p> +<p>“They ought to be, but alas! it is too much to expect.”</p> +<p>She could not believe, however, that any danger of +that nature threatened her, but she deferred to the fears +of her father, Lieutenant Russell and the parson to that +extent that she generally had a companion with her on +these dashes down the trail. Sometimes it was Brush, +sometimes Ruggles or her parent, and less frequently +the young officer. Timon always galloped or trotted behind +her pony, and she could not be made to believe that +his protection was not all-sufficient.</p> +<p>The winds of early autumn were moaning through +the gorges and cañons of the Sierras, bringing with +them the breath of coming winter, which was often felt +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +with all its Arctic rigor in these depressions among the +towering peaks and ridges. The usual group was gathered +in the Heavenly Bower, though two of the most +prominent citizens were absent. They were Felix Brush +and Wade Ruggles, who were seated in their cabin, +where a small fire had been kindled on the primitive +hearth and afforded the only light in the small apartment. +They had eaten their evening meal and as usual +were smoking.</p> +<p>As neither cared to taste the Mountain Dew, so winsome +to a majority of the miners, the two often spent +their evenings thus, especially since the shadow caused +by the coming of Lieutenant Russell had fallen across +their threshold.</p> +<p>“Things begin to look better than afore,” remarked +Ruggles, sitting with one leg flung across the other +and looking thoughtfully into the fire.</p> +<p>“Yes, I always insisted that the soil about here is +auriferous and we had only to stick to it to obtain our +reward.”</p> +<p>Ruggles took his pipe from his mouth and looked at +his partner with a disgusted expression.</p> +<p>“What are you talkin’ ’bout, parson?”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you refer to the diggings?” he innocently +asked in turn.</p> +<p>“Come now, that won’t do; you know my references +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +to allusions was the leftenant and the young lady. I +say things look better as regards the same.”</p> +<p>“In what way?”</p> +<p>“In the only way there could be. They don’t care +partic’lar for each other.”</p> +<p>“There is no doubt they did some time ago.”</p> +<p>“Of course, but I mean <i>now</i>.”</p> +<p>“How do you explain the change, Wade?”</p> +<p>“The chap ain’t a fool; he’s took notice of our +warnin’s.”</p> +<p>“I wasn’t aware that we had given him any.”</p> +<p>“Not ’zactly in words, but every time I’ve met him +with the gal, I give the leftenant a scowl. Once I come +purty near shakin’ my fist at him; he’s obsarved it all +and is wise in time.”</p> +<p>“I think there is ground for what you say,” remarked +the parson, anxious to be convinced of the +hoped-for fact; “what I base my belief on is that the +leftenant doesn’t accompany her on her little riding +trips as often as her father or you or I: <i>that</i> is a sure +barometer, according to my judgment. Still I have +sometimes feared from the way she talks and acts that +she thinks more of him than is right.”</p> +<p>“Nothing of the kind! She treats him as she does +everybody else; the leftenant is the friend of the cap +and the leftenant give her the dog that is the size of a +meetin’ house and the pony hardly as big as the dog, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +she doesn’t think half as much of him as of you and me; +how can she?” demanded Ruggles, sitting bolt upright +and spreading his hand like a lawyer who has uttered +an unanswerable argument; “hain’t she knowed us a +blamed sight longer than him?”</p> +<p>“You are correct; I didn’t think of that.”</p> +<p>How eagerly we accept the argument, flimsy as it +may be, which accords with our wishes!</p> +<p>“When I feel sorter ugly over my ’spicions,” continued +Ruggles; “I jest reflect that we’ve knowed the +gal ever since she was a baby and her father tumbled +down a hundred feet onto the roof of the Heavenly +Bower, with her in his arms in the middle of that +howlin’ blizzard,––when I think of that I say–––”</p> +<p>The door of the cabin was hastily shoved inward and +Captain Dawson, his face as white as death, strode in.</p> +<p>“Have you seen anything of Nellie?” he asked in a +husky whisper.</p> +<p>“No; what’s the matter?” asked the startled miners.</p> +<p>“She has gone! she has left me!” gasped the father +dropping into the only remaining chair, the picture of +despair and unutterable woe.</p> +<p>“Why do you think that?” asked the parson, sympathetically.</p> +<p>“Lieutenant Russell has gone too! They have fled +together!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_COMRADES_IN_SORROW' id='CHAPTER_XV_COMRADES_IN_SORROW'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>COMRADES IN SORROW</h3> +</div> +<p>Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush sprang to their +feet and confronted the white-faced Captain Dawson, +who stared at them and breathed fast. For a full minute +they gazed into one another’s faces, dazed, motionless +and speechless. The partners stood, each with pipe +in hand, the faint smoke curling upward from the +bowls, their slouched hats still on their frowsy heads, +the revolvers at their cartridge belts spanning their +waists, their trousers tucked in the tops of their boots, +and with their heavy flannel shirts serving for coats +and vests.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson was similarly attired. He had +dashed out of his own cabin and into that of his friends, +his long locks flying, and even the strands of his heavy +beard rigidly apart, as if from the consternation that +had taken possession of his very soul.</p> +<p>In those seconds of tomb-like stillness, an ember on +the earthen hearth fell apart and a twist of flame threw +a yellow illumination through the small room, grim and +bare of everything suggesting luxury.</p> +<p>It was the parson who first found voice, but when he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +spoke the tones, even to himself, sounded like those of +another person.</p> +<p>“Captain, it is possible that there is some mistake +about this.”</p> +<p>“Would to God there might be!”</p> +<p>“Let us hope there is.”</p> +<p>“Mistake!” he repeated in a husky, rasping voice; +“can there be any mistake about <i>that</i>?”</p> +<p>He threw out his single arm as he spoke, as if he +would drive his fist through their chests. But he held +a crumpled bit of paper in the face of the parson, who +silently took it from him, crinkled it apart and turning +his side so that the firelight fell on the sheet, began reading +the few words written in pencil and in the pretty +delicate hand which he knew so well.</p> +<p>“Read it out loud, parson,” said Ruggles, speaking +for the first time.</p> +<p>Felix Brush did so in a voice of surprising evenness:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“<span class='smcap'>My Dearest Father</span>:––I have decided to go with +Lieutenant Russell. We love each other and I have +promised to become his wife. Do not think I love you +any less for that can never be. I cannot remain here. +You will hear from us soon and then I pray that you +will come to your own</p> +<p class='ralign'><span class='smcap'>Nellie</span>.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>“Have you been to his shanty?” asked Ruggles, +who hardly comprehended the meaning of his own +words.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></div> +<p>“Why would he go there?” angrily demanded the +parson.</p> +<p>“Mebbe the villain changed his mind.”</p> +<p>“But, if he had, <i>she</i> would not be there.”</p> +<p>“Yes; I went to his cabin,” bitterly answered Captain +Dawson; “he has not been in the place for hours; +all is dark and deserted; if I found him, I would have +killed him.”</p> +<p>The three were laboring under fearful emotion, but +with surprising power forced themselves to seem comparatively +calm.</p> +<p>“Captain, tell us about it,” said the parson, carefully +folding the bit of paper upon itself and shoving +it into his pocket, unobserved by the others.</p> +<p>Despite his apparent calmness it took a few moments +for the father to gain sufficient self-control to speak +clearly. Seated in the chair, he looked into the embers +of the fire on the hearth, compressed his lips and +breathed hard. His two friends had also seated themselves, +for it seemed to them it was easier to master +their agitation thus than while upon their feet.</p> +<p>“What have I to tell, but my everlasting woe and +shame? The lieutenant and I have been working for +several days by ourselves on a new lead. I had noticed +nothing unusual in his manner nor indeed in that of +my child. At lunch time to-day he complained to me of +not feeling like work, and told me not to expect him back +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +this afternoon. I would have returned with him, had +not the indications of the new lead been so good. And +actually he invited me to do no more work until to-morrow, +though why he should have done it, when it +would have spoiled their whole scheme, is more than I +can explain.</p> +<p>“It was part of his plan to deceive you.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see how it could do that, for there was no +need of his inviting me,––but let it go. It came about +that I worked later than usual, so that it was dark when +I got home. I was surprised to see no light and to find +no fire or Nellie. I thought nothing of that, however, +for who would have believed it possible that there could +be anything wrong? I supposed she was with some of +the folks and being tired I sat down in my chair and fell +asleep.</p> +<p>“When I awoke, the room was cold, silent and as +dark as a wolf’s mouth. I felt impatient and decided +to give her a scolding for being so neglectful. I groped +around until I found a match, intending to start a fire. +I had just lit the lamp and set it down on the table, +when I caught sight of a folded piece of paper with my +name in her handwriting on the outside. It gave me +a queer feeling and my hands trembled when I unfolded +and read it.</p> +<p>“I don’t clearly remember the next few minutes. +The room seemed to be spinning around, and I think +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +I had to sit down to keep from falling, but what saved +me from collapse was my anger. I have been consumed +with indignation once or twice in my life, but was never +so furious, so uncontrollable, so utterly savage as I was +after reading that note. If I could have found Russell, +I would have throttled him. It may sound strange, but +I hardly once thought of Nellie; it was <i>he</i>, the villain, +whom I yearned to get my hands on.”</p> +<p>“Of course,” said Ruggles, “that’s the way you +oughter feel.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what possessed me to do so, but I +rushed out and made straight for his cabin, as if I +would find him there. Of course that too was empty, +and then I came here. Fool that I have been!” exclaimed +the parent, leaping to his feet and striding up +and down the room; “not to see all this, but,” he added +pathetically, “I believed that Nellie loved me.”</p> +<p>The flaming wrath of the two melted into pity for the +stricken father. Parson Brush laid his hand on his +shoulder and compelled him to resume his seat. Then +he spoke with the tenderness of a woman:</p> +<p>“That child <i>does</i> love you more than she loves her +own life, but she is blinded by her infatuation for that +smooth-tongued scoundrel. It is the nature of her sex +to feel and act thus; but, as I said, it does not mean +that her love for you is less––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span></div> +<p>“Don’t talk of her love for me,” fiercely interrupted +the parent; “we only judge of a person by his actions.”</p> +<p>“But you and I have made mistakes––”</p> +<p>“Nothing like this; why did she not ask me? why +did <i>he</i> not tell me that he wished to marry her?––that +is if he does,” added the father, as if determined to +make his own cup as bitter as possible.</p> +<p>“He did not ask you, because he knew you would refuse; +for from the first time he entered this community, +he was determined to have her.”</p> +<p>“How do you know that?”</p> +<p>“Because Ruggles and I read him; we did what no +one else did,––we measured the man. Am I right, +Wade?”</p> +<p>The miner nodded his head.</p> +<p>“Every word is as true as gospel; we noticed his +sly looks at her, that first night you and him entered the +Heavenly Bower and she was there. We couldn’t make +any mistake about it.”</p> +<p>“And you didn’t warn me! You two are as bad as +he, because you kept the secret when you ought to have +put me on my guard, so that I might have strangled him +at the first advance he made.”</p> +<p>Sympathy for the man prevented his listeners taking +offence at the words which, from any one else, +would have brought serious consequences. The parson +said soothingly:</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span></div> +<p>“If you were not so wrought up, captain, you +would not be so unreasonable; suppose Wade and I had +gone to you with the statement that the man who, according +to your own words, had saved your life but +a short time before in the mountains, was a villain, who +contemplated robbing you of your child; what would +you have done?”</p> +<p>“Thanked you and been on my guard.”</p> +<p>“You would have done nothing of the kind; you +would have cursed us and told us to mind our own business.”</p> +<p>“No matter what I would have done, it was your +duty to tell me, regardless of the consequences to yourselves. +I might have resented it, but my eyes would +have been opened and this blow saved me.”</p> +<p>“Nothing could have opened your eyes, for you were +blind,” said the parson, who felt that though the man +was intensely agitated, he ought to hear some plain +truths; “even had you suspected there was ground for +our fears, you would have gone to Lieutenant Russell +and demanded an explanation. He would have denied +it, and you would have believed him with the result +that he would have been put on his guard and +would have deceived you the more completely.”</p> +<p>“Likewise, as aforesaid,” added Ruggles, “the villain +would have come to us and made us give our +grounds for our charges. What ridic’lous fools we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +would have been, when all we could answer was that +we thought he looked as if he meant to run away with +your darter.”</p> +<p>“There may be some justice in what you say,” replied +the captain more composedly; “It was I who was +blind, but I can’t understand it. Never until I read that +piece of paper, did I suspect the truth.”</p> +<p>“Howsumever, the parson and me haven’t been idle; +we often talked it over and fixed on a line that we +thought would work better than going to you. We +showed the leftenant that we was onto his game; I give +him a scowl now and then, as it fell convenient, that +said ‘Beware!’ We, that is the parson and me, made +up our minds to watch close, and, at the first sign that +was dead sure, we’d fall onto him like a couple of mountains.”</p> +<p>“And why didn’t you?”</p> +<p>“He fooled us as he did you. We was talkin’ over +matters the very minute you busted into the door and +was satisfied that he had larned he was playin’ with fire +and had concluded to drop it. We was as big fools as +you.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_NOW' id='CHAPTER_XVI_NOW'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>NOW</h3> +</div> +<p>It was the parson who now broke in.</p> +<p>“Why do we sit here, lamenting that which cannot +be helped? Do you mean to give up, captain, and let +her go? Will you settle down to toil in the diggings, +giving her no further thought, while this pretty-faced +lieutenant is chuckling over the clever manner by which +he fooled you as well as us––”</p> +<p>“No!” fairly shouted the roused parent; “I will +follow them to the ends of the earth! They shall not +find a foot of ground that will protect them! She has +never seen me angry, but she shall now!”</p> +<p>“We are with you,” coolly responded Brush, “but +only on one condition.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?”</p> +<p>“That this account is to be settled with <i>him</i> alone; +you musn’t speak so much as a cross word to Nellie; +she will shed many a bitter tear of sorrow; she will +drain the cup to its dregs; <i>he</i>, the cause of it all, is to +be brought to judgment. When do you wish to take +up the pursuit?”</p> +<p>“Now!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span></div> +<p>“And we are with you.”</p> +<p>There was something wonderful in the way Parson +Brush kept control of himself. Externally he was as +calm as when standing in front of the adamantine +blackboard, giving instruction to Nellie Dawson, while +down deep in his heart, raged a tempest such as rouses +into life the darkest passions that can nerve a man to +wrong doing. Believing it necessary to stir the father +to action, he had done it by well chosen words, that +could not have been more effective.</p> +<p>For weeks and months the shadow had brooded over +him. Sometimes it seemed to lift and dissolve into unsubstantiality, +only to come back more baleful than +before. And the moment when he had about persuaded +himself that it was but a figment of the imagination, it +had sprung into being and crushed him. But he was +now stern, remorseless, resolute, implacable.</p> +<p>It was much the same with Wade Ruggles. He +strove desperately to gain the remarkable control of +his feelings, displayed by his comrade, and partly succeeded. +But there was a restless fidgeting which caused +him to move aimlessly about the room and showed itself +now and then in a slight tremulousness of the voice +and hands, but his eyes wore that steely glitter, which +those at his side had noticed when the rumble and +grumble told that the battle was on.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson went from one extreme to the other. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +Crazed, tumultuous in his fury, and at first like a baffled +tiger, he moderated his voice and manner until his +companions wondered at his self-poise.</p> +<p>“They have started for Sacramento and are now +well advanced over the trail,” he remarked without any +evidence of excitement.</p> +<p>“When do you imagine they set out?” asked Brush.</p> +<p>“Probably about the middle of the afternoon; possibly +earlier.”</p> +<p>“Then,” said Ruggles, “they have a good six hours’ +start. They haven’t lost any time and must be fifteen +or twenty miles away.”</p> +<p>“The trail is easy traveling for twice that distance, +as I recollect it,” observed the captain; “after that it +grows rougher and they will not be able to go so fast.”</p> +<p>“This must have been arranged several days ago, +though it is only guesswork on our part. Of course she +has taken considerable clothing with her.”</p> +<p>“I did not look into her room,” said the captain; +“there’s no use; it is enough to know they made their +preparations and started, accompanied by that dog Timon.”</p> +<p>No time was wasted. They knew they would encounter +cold weather, for the autumn had fairly set in, +and some portions of the trail carried them to an elevation +where it was chilly in midsummer. Each took +a thick blanket. The captain donned his military coat, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +with the empty sleeve pinned to the breast, caught up +his saddle and trappings, his Winchester and revolver, +and buckled the cartridge belt around his waist. Then +he was ready. Neither of the others took coat or vest. +The blanket flung around the shoulders was all that was +likely to be needed, in addition to the heavy flannel shirt +worn summer and winter.</p> +<p>Thus equipped, the three stood outside the cabin, +with the moon high in the sky, a gentle wind sweeping +up the cañon and loose masses of clouds drifting in +front of the orb of night. Here and there a light twinkled +from a shanty and the hum of voices sounded +faintly in their ears. Further off, at the extreme end +of the settlement, stood the Heavenly Bower, with the +yellow rays streaming from its two windows. They +could picture the group gathered there, as it had gathered +night after night during the past years, full of jest +and story, and with never a thought of the tragedy that +had already begun.</p> +<p>“Shall we tell them?” asked Ruggles.</p> +<p>“No,” answered Brush; “some of them might wish +to go with us.”</p> +<p>“And it might be well to take them,” suggested Captain +Dawson.</p> +<p>“We are enough,” was the grim response of the +parson.</p> +<p>Like so many phantoms, the men moved toward the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +further end of the settlement. Opposite the last shanty +a man assumed form in the gloom. He had just +emerged from his dwelling and stopped abruptly at +sight of the trio of shadows gliding past.</p> +<p>“What’s up, pards?” he called.</p> +<p>“Nothing,” was the curt answer of the captain, who +was leading and did not change his pace.</p> +<p>“You needn’t be so huffy about it,” growled the +other, standing still and puffing his pipe until they vanished.</p> +<p>“That was Vose Adams,” remarked the captain over +his shoulder; “he’ll tell the rest what he saw and it will +be known to everybody in the morning.”</p> +<p>The little party was carefully descending the side of +the cañon, with now and then a partial stumble, until +they reached the bottom of the broad valley where the +grass grew luxuriantly nearly the whole year. It was +nutritious and succulent and afforded the best of pasturage +for the few horses and mules belonging to the +miners.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson and Lieutenant Russell had ridden +up the trail, each mounted on a fine steed, which had +brought them from Sacramento. When the saddles +and bridles were removed, the animals were turned +loose in the rich pasturage, which extended for miles +over the bottom of the cañon. There, too, grazed the +pony of Nellie Dawson, the horses of Ruggles and Bidwell +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +and the three mules owned by Landlord Ortigies +and Vose Adams. The latter were left to themselves, +except when needed for the periodical journeys to Sacramento. +The little drove constituted all the possessions +of New Constantinople in that line. Consequently, if +any more of the miners wished to join in the pursuit, +they would have to do so on foot or on mule back,––a +fact which was likely to deter most of them.</p> +<p>In the early days of the settlement, before the descent +of that terrible blizzard, fully a dozen mules and horses +were grazing in the gorge, subject to the call of their +owners, who, however, did not expect to need them, +unless they decided to remove to some other site. But +one morning every hoof had vanished and was never +seen again. The prints of moccasins, here and there in +the soft earth, left no doubt of the cause of their disappearance. +Perhaps this event had something to do +with the permanence of New Constantinople, since the +means of a comfortable departure with goods, chattels, +tools and mining implements went off with the +animals.</p> +<p>After that the miners made no further investments in +quadrupeds, except to the extent of three or four mules, +needed by Vose Adams, though he was forced to make +one journey to Sacramento on foot. Thus matters +stood until the addition of the horses. There was always +danger of their being stolen, but as the weeks and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +months passed, without the occurrence of anything of +that nature, the matter was forgotten.</p> +<p>The three men were so familiar with the surroundings +that they made their way to the bottom of the +cañon with as much readiness as if the sun were shining. +Pausing beside the narrow, winding stream, +which at that season was no more than a brook, they +stood for several minutes peering here and there in +the gloom, for the animals indispensable for a successful +pursuit of the eloping ones.</p> +<p>“There’s no saying how long it will take to find +them,” remarked the captain impatiently; “it may be +they have been grazing a mile away.”</p> +<p>“Have you any signal which your animal understands?”</p> +<p>“Yes, but it is doubtful if he will obey it.”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson placed his fingers between his lips +and emitted a peculiar tremulous whistle, repeating it +three times with much distinctness. Then all stood silent +and listening.</p> +<p>“He may be asleep. Once he was prompt to obey +me, but he has been turned loose so long that there is +little likelihood of his heeding it.”</p> +<p>“Try it again and a little stronger,” suggested +Ruggles.</p> +<p>The captain repeated the call until it seemed certain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +the animal must hear it, but all the same, the result was +nothing.</p> +<p>It was exasperating for the hounds thus to be held in +leash when the game was speeding from them, with the +scent warm, but there was no help for it.</p> +<p>“We are wasting time,” said Dawson; “while you +two go up the gorge, I will take the other direction; +look sharp for the animals that are probably lying +down; they are cunning and will not relish being disturbed; +if you find them whistle, and I’ll do the same.”</p> +<p>They separated, the captain following one course and +his friends the other.</p> +<p>“It’ll be a bad go,” remarked Ruggles, “if we don’t +find the horses, for we won’t have any show against +them on their animals.”</p> +<p>“Little indeed and yet it will not hold us back.”</p> +<p>“No, indeed!” replied Ruggles with a concentration +of passion that made the words seem to hiss between +his teeth.</p> +<p>Since the stream was so insignificant, Wade Ruggles +leaped across and went up the cañon on the other side, +his course being parallel with his friend’s. A hundred +yards further and he made a discovery.</p> +<p>“Helloa, Brush, here they are!”</p> +<p>The parson bounded over the brook and hurried to +his side, but a disappointment followed. The three +mules having cropped their fill had lain down for the +night but the horses were not in sight.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_THE_PURSUERS' id='CHAPTER_XVII_THE_PURSUERS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>THE PURSUERS</h3> +</div> +<p>The parson expressed his disappointment in vigorous +language, when, instead of the horses, the hybrids +proved to be the only animals near them.</p> +<p>“I am afraid this proves one thing,” he said.</p> +<p>“What is that?”</p> +<p>“I have had a dread all along that the Indians would +run off the horses, but it seems to me that if they had +done so, they would have taken the mules.”</p> +<p>“It strikes me as more likely that the leftenant took +the horses, so as to prevent our follering him and the +gal.”</p> +<p>“That sounds reasonable,” said the parson thoughtfully; +“the plan is so simple that it must have occurred +to him. The mules are too slow to be of any use to +us, and it may be as well that we shall have to go +afoot.”</p> +<p>“How do you figure that out?”</p> +<p>“They will conclude that, if we haven’t any horses, +we won’t follow them; they will, therefore, take their +time and travel so slow, that we’ll have the chance to +swoop down on them when they are not expecting it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></div> +<p>“I s’pose there’s what you call philosophy in that, +but it doesn’t hit me very favorable. We’ll see what +the cap thinks––helloa!”</p> +<p>Clearly and distinctly through the still air came the +signal by which Captain Dawson was to announce his +discovery of the animals. The call scattered all +thoughts of making the journey on foot, and, wheeling +about, the two started off at a rapid pace to join their +friend. At the same moment the call sounded again, +and they answered it to let it be known they understood +the situation. In a brief time they came upon Captain +Dawson impatiently awaiting them. There was no +need for him to tell them he had been successful in his +search, for he was standing beside the three horses, +which were quickly saddled and bridled. A minute +later the men vaulted upon their backs and the captain +said crisply:</p> +<p>“Now we are off!”</p> +<p>Each seemed to be inspired by the spirit of adventure. +They sat erect in the saddles, drew in a deep inhalation +of the keen night air, and moved off with their +horses on a brisk walk, which almost immediately became +a canter. For a mile, the trail through Dead +Man’s Gulch was nearly as hard and even as a country +highway. The width of the cañon varied from a few +rods to a quarter of a mile, with the mountain ridges +on either hand towering far up into cloudland, the tallest +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +peaks crowned with snow which the sun never dissolved.</p> +<p>The tiny stream wound like a silvery serpent through +the stretch of green, succulent grass, narrowing gorge +and obtruding rock and boulder. Now and then the +path led across the water, which was so shallow that +it only plashed about the fetlocks of the horses. Captain +Dawson, in his impetuosity, kept a few paces in +front of the other two, as if he were the leader. When +the space increased too much he reined up his animal +and waited until his friends joined him. They were +grim, resolute and for most of the time had little to say +to one another, though, as may be supposed, their +thoughts were of anything but a pleasant nature.</p> +<p>So long as the moon held her place near the +zenith, the cañon was suffused and flooded with +its soft radiance, but the rifts of clouds drifting +before its face rendered the light at times treacherous +and uncertain. The horses had rested so +long, and had had such extensive browsing on +the rich pasturage, that they were in fine condition, +and the gallop seemed more grateful to them than an +ordinary walking gait. The air was cool and the fine +trail, at this portion of the journey, made all the conditions +favorable. After a time however, the ascent and +descent would appear, the ground would become rough +and the best the animals could do would be to walk.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></div> +<p>When Parson Brush remarked that Lieutenant Russell +had proved himself an idiot when he left these +horses behind for his pursuers to use, the captain and +Ruggles agreed with him.</p> +<p>“I don’t understand it,” said Brush; “he must have +expected we would be hot after him, within the very +hour we learned of what he had done, or can it be that +he and she concluded we would say, ‘Depart in peace?’ +If so, the young man shall have a terrible awakening.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me,” said Ruggles, “that it is more +likely he believed that with the start he would gain, it +didn’t matter whether we follered or not, feelin’ sure +that he could keep out of reach and get to Sacramento +so fur ahead of us, that he needn’t give us a +thought.”</p> +<p>“I am not very familiar with the trail,” remarked +the captain, “for, as you know, I have passed over it +only twice; first, nearly five years ago, when I went to +the war, and a few months since when I came back.”</p> +<p>“But you and Russell did not lose your way,” said +the parson.</p> +<p>“That was because we did our traveling by day. We +tried it once at night, but came within a hair of tumbling +over a precipice a thousand feet deep. This will +be easy enough, so long as we have the sun to help us.”</p> +<p>“You probably know as much about the trail as +Wade and I, for neither of us has been over it often. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +Consequently, when we travel by night, we shall have +to go it blind, or rather shall do so after awhile, since +all is plain sailing now.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t so sure of that,” observed Ruggles doubtfully; +“we must have come a mile already and ought to +have made a turn by this time.”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson checked his horse and peered ahead.</p> +<p>“Can it be we are off the track? We have come +nearer two miles than one––ah!”</p> +<p>Just then the moon emerged from the obscuring +clouds and their field of vision so broadened that they +saw themselves face to face with an impassable barrier. +The cañon closed directly in front of them like +an immense gate of stone. It was impossible to advance +a hundred feet further.</p> +<p>“Well, I’m blessed if this isn’t a pretty situation!” +exclaimed the captain.</p> +<p>“We have passed the opening, but we haven’t far +to return, and you know that a bad beginning brings a +good ending.”</p> +<p>“Humph! I would rather chance it on a good beginning.”</p> +<p>Ruggles was the first to wheel and strike his horse +into a gallop, which he did with the remark that he +knew where the right passage was located. His companions +were almost beside him. The cañon was of +that peculiar conformation that, while it terminated +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +directly in front, it contained an abrupt angle between +where the party had halted and the mining settlement. +At that point it was so wide that the little stream, which +might have served for a guide, was lost sight of. Had +they followed the brook, they would not have gone +astray. The only inconvenience was the slight delay, +which in their restless mood tried their spirits to the +utmost. Captain Dawson muttered to himself and +urged his horse so angrily that he again placed himself +in advance. His mood was no more savage than that +of his companions, but he chafed at everything which +caused delay, no matter how trifling, in the pursuit.</p> +<p>Fearing that he might go wrong, Ruggles spurred up +beside him. The distance passed was less than any one +expected it to be, when Ruggles called out:</p> +<p>“Here we are!”</p> +<p>The exclamation was caused by the hoofs of their +horses plashing in the water. They seemed to share +the impatience of their riders; “all we have to do now +is to keep to the stream; obsarve its turn.”</p> +<p>Its course was almost at right angles to that which +they had been following. The animals were cantering +easily, when suddenly a deeper gloom than usual overspread +the valley like a pall. This came from a heavy +bank of clouds sweeping before the moon. The steeds +were drawn down to a walk, but the obscurity was not +dense enough to shut out the chasm-like opening, where +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +the mountains seemed to part, riven by some terrific +convulsion ages before. The enormous walls drew back +the door as if to invite them to enter and press the pursuit +of the couple that were fleeing from a just and +righteous wrath.</p> +<p>The width of the cañon had now dwindled to a few +yards, and the stream expanding and shallow, occupied +so much of the space that the horses were continually +splashing through it, but the rise and fall of the trail +was so slight that the gallop might have continued with +little danger of mishap.</p> +<p>The formation of the party was in “Indian file,” +with Captain Dawson leading, Ruggles next and Brush +bringing up the rear. All three animals were walking, +for the light of the moon was variable and often faint, +while the danger of a mis-step was ever present, and +was likely to bring a fatal ending of the pursuit almost +before it had fairly begun. Occasionally the gloom in +the narrow gorge was so deep that they distinguished +one another’s figures indistinctly, but the animals were +left mostly to themselves. They seemed to know what +was expected of them and showed no hesitation. It was +impossible for them to go wrong, for it was much the +same as if crossing a bridge, with its protecting barrier +on either hand. The horse of the captain showed +his self-confidence once or twice by a faint whinney +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +and a break from the walk into a trot, but his rider +checked him.</p> +<p>“Not yet; heaven knows that I am as anxious to +push on as you, but we have already made one blunder +and we can’t afford another; when the time comes that +it is safe to trot you shall do so and perhaps run.”</p> +<p>“Hush!” called Brush from the rear; “I hear a +curious sound.”</p> +<p>“What does it seem to be?”</p> +<p>“It is impossible to tell; let’s stop for a moment.”</p> +<p>As the three animals stood motionless, the strange +noise was audible. It was a deep, hollow roar rapidly +increasing in volume and intensity, and resembled the +warning of a tornado or cyclone advancing through +the forest. The animals, as is the case at such times, +were nervous and frightened. They elevated their +heads, pricked their ears, snuffed the air and the animal +of the parson trembled with terror.</p> +<p>The three believed that something in the nature of a +cyclone was approaching, or it might be a cloudburst +several miles away, whose deluge had swollen the +stream into a rushing torrent that would overwhelm +them where they stood, caught inextricably in a trap.</p> +<p>The terrifying roar, however, was neither in front +nor at the rear, but above them,––over their heads! +From the first warning to the end was but a few seconds. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +The sound increased with appalling power and +every eye was instinctively turned upward.</p> +<p>In the dim obscurity they saw a dark mass of rock, +weighing hundreds of tons, descending like a prodigious +meteor, hurled from the heavens. It had been loosened +on the mountain crest a half mile above, and was +plunging downward with inconceivable momentum. +Striking some obstruction, it rebounded like a rubber +ball against the opposite side of the gorge, then recoiled, +still diving downward, oscillating like a pendulum from +wall to wall, whirling with increasing speed until it +crashed to the bottom of the gorge with a shock so terrific +that the earth and mountain trembled.</p> +<p>Landing in the stream, the water was flung like bird +shot right and left, stinging the faces of the men fifty +feet distant. They sat awed and silent until Ruggles +spoke:</p> +<p>“Now if that stone had hit one of us on the head it +would have hurt.”</p> +<p>“Probably it would,” replied the captain, who had +difficulty in quieting his horse; “at any rate, I hope no +more of them will fall till we are out of the way.”</p> +<p>“I wonder whether that could have been done on +purpose,” remarked the parson.</p> +<p>“No,” said Ruggles; “the leftenant couldn’t know +anything about our being purty near the right +spot to catch it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></div> +<p>“I alluded to Indians,––not to him.”</p> +<p>But Ruggles and the captain did not deem such a +thing credible. A whole tribe of red men could not +have loosened so enormous a mass of stone, while, if +poised as delicately as it must have been, they would +have known nothing of the fact. Sometimes an immense +oak, sound and apparently as firm as any in the +forest around it, suddenly plunges downward and +crashes to the earth, from no imaginable cause. So, +vast masses of rock on the mountain side which have +held their places for centuries, seem to leap from their +foundations and tear their way with resistless force into +the valley below. This was probably one of those accidental +displacements, liable to occur at any hour of the +day or night, which had come so startlingly near crushing +the three men to death.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson drew a match from his pocket and +scraping it along his thigh, held it to the face of his +watch.</p> +<p>“Just midnight and we are not more than half a +dozen miles from home.”</p> +<p>“And how far do you suppose <i>they</i> are?” asked the +parson.</p> +<p>“Probably five times as much, if not more.”</p> +<p>“But they will not travel at night, and by sunrise we +ought to be considerably nearer to them than now.”</p> +<p>“You can’t be certain about that. Lieutenant Russell +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +knows me too well to loiter on the road; he has a good +horse and the pony of Nellie is a tough animal; both +will be urged to the utmost; for they must be sure the +pursuit will be a hard one.”</p> +<p>The discomforting fact in the situation was that if +the fugitives, as they may be considered, pushed their +flight with vigor, there was no reason why they should +not prevent any lessening of the distance between them +and their pursuers, and since they would naturally fear +pursuit, it was to be expected that they would use all +haste. The hope was that on account of Nellie, the animals +would not keep up the flight for so many hours out +of the twenty-four, as the pursuers would maintain it.</p> +<p>The trail steadily ascended and became so rough and +uneven that the horses frequently stumbled. This made +their progress slow and compelled the three men, despite +themselves, to feel the prudence of resting until +daylight, but not one of them wished to do so, since +the night pursuit was the only phase of the business +which brought with it the belief that they were really +lessening the distance separating them from the two +in advance.</p> +<p>Eager as the couple were to get through the mountains +and reach Sacramento, where for the first time +they could feel safe from their pursuers, the young officer +was too wise to incur the risk of breaking down +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +their horses, for such a mishap would be a most serious +one indeed, and fraught with fatal consequences.</p> +<p>There was little fear of the pursuers going astray. +Captain Dawson had an extraordinary memory for +places, as he repeatedly proved by recalling some landmark +that he had noticed on his previous trip. Furthermore, +the gorge was so narrow that in a certain +sense, it may be said, they were fenced in, and would +have found it hard to wander to the right or left, had +they made the effort.</p> +<p>After an hour of steady climbing they reached an altitude +which brought with it a sharp change of temperature. +The air became so chilly that Ruggles and Brush +flung their blankets about their shoulders and found the +protection added to their comfort. The horses, too, began +to show the effects of their severe exertion. Their +long rest had rendered them somewhat “soft,” though +the hardening would be rapid. After a few days’ work +they would not mind such exertion as that to which they +were now forced.</p> +<p>When a sort of amphitheatre was reached, it was decided +to draw rein for a brief while, out of sympathy +for their panting animals.</p> +<p>“I thought if we failed to find our horses,” remarked +the parson, “we wouldn’t find it hard to keep up the +pursuit on foot; I have changed my mind.”</p> +<p>He looked back over the sloping trail, which speedily +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +vanished in the gloom and the eyes of the other two +were turned in the same direction. At the moment of +doing so, the animals again became frightened, so that, +despite their fatigue, it was hard to restrain them.</p> +<p>“There’s something down there,” remarked the captain +slipping from his saddle; “Wade, you are the nearest, +can you see anything?”</p> +<p>Ruggles was out of the saddle in an instant, Winchester +in hand.</p> +<p>“I catched sight of something,” he said in an undertone; +“look after my horse, while I find out what it +is.”</p> +<p>“Have a care,” cautioned the parson; “it may be an +Indian.”</p> +<p>“That’s what I think it is,” replied Ruggles, who instantly +started down the trail rifle in hand, his posture +a crouching one and his senses strung to the highest +point.</p> +<p>He passed from view almost on the instant, and his +companions listened with intense anxiety for what was +to follow. Suddenly the sharp crack of their friend’s +rifle rang out in the solemn stillness, the report echoing +again and again through the gorge, with an effect that +was startling even to such experienced men. It was the +only sound that came to them, and, while they were +wondering what it meant, Ruggles reappeared among +them with the noiselessness of a shadow.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span></div> +<p>“It was a bear,” he explained; “I think he scented +the animals and was follering on the lookout for a +chance at ’em.”</p> +<p>“Did you kill him?”</p> +<p>“Don’t think I did; he must have heard me comin’ +and was scared; he went down the trail faster than I +could; when I seen that I couldn’t catch him, I let fly +without taking much aim. Maybe I hit him; leastways, +he traveled so much faster that I give it up and come +back.”</p> +<p>The party lingered for half an hour more, but as the +horses showed no further fear, they concluded that +bruin had taken to heart the lesson he received and +would bother them no further.</p> +<p>The mountains still towered on every hand. The +stream had long since disappeared among the rocks and +the gorge had become narrower. Generally it was +no more than a dozen feet in width, occasionally expanding +to two or three times that extent. The moon +had moved over so far that only its faint reflection +against the dark walls and masses of rock availed the +horsemen. The sky seemed to contain an increasing +number of clouds and there were indications of a storm, +which might not break for a day or two, and as likely as +not would not break at all.</p> +<p>The traveling, despite its difficulty, was comparatively +safe. The trail did not lead along the sides of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +precipices, with a climbing wall on one side and a continuous +descent on the other, but it was solid and extended +across from one ridge to the other. Because of +this fact the three pushed their animals hard, knowing +that it would not be long before they would have to be +favored.</p> +<p>“I don’t know whether we are wise to keep this up +as we are doing,” said the captain, “but I know there +are few places where we can travel in the darkness and +I feel like making the most of them.”</p> +<p>“It is only a question of what the horses are able to +stand,” replied Brush; “it is easy enough for us to ride, +but a very different thing for them to carry us. We must +guard against their breaking down.”</p> +<p>“I will look out for that, but it is strange that when +we were making ready to start we forgot one important +matter.”</p> +<p>“What was that?”</p> +<p>“We did not bring a mouthful of food.”</p> +<p>“We shall have little trouble in shooting what game +we need.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps not and perhaps we shall. The lieutenant +and I found on our way from Sacramento that, although +game appeared to be plenty, it had an exasperating +habit of keeping out of range when we particularly +needed it. Delay will be necessary to get food, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +and the reports of our guns are likely to give warning, +just when it is dangerous.”</p> +<p>“It was a bad slip,” assented the parson; “for there +was plenty of meat and bread at home; but we shall +have to stop now and then to rest our animals and to +allow them to feed and we can utilize such intervals by +getting something for ourselves in the same line.”</p> +<p>“It isn’t that, so much as the risk of apprising the +two of their danger. In addition, it will be strange if +we get through the mountains without a fight with the +Indians. According to my recollection, we shall strike +a region to-morrow or on the next day, where there will +be the mischief to pay.”</p> +<p>Two miles more of laborious work and another halt. +For the first time Parson Brush showed excitement.</p> +<p>“Do you know,” he said, “that some one is following +us? There may be several, but I am sure of one at +least and he is on a horse.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_A_CLOSE_CALL' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_A_CLOSE_CALL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>A CLOSE CALL</h3> +</div> +<p>Few situations are more trying than that of being +followed at night by what we suspect is an enemy. The +furtive glances to the rear show the foe too indistinctly +for us to recognize him, and the imagination pictures +the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow +against which it is impossible to guard.</p> +<p>There was little of this dread, however, in the case +of our friends, for they felt strong enough to take care +of themselves. Moreover, all three formed an instant +suspicion of the identity of the man.</p> +<p>It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the +faint footfalls, and, peering into the gloom, saw the +outlines of a man and beast a few rods distant, coming +steadily up the trail in the same direction with himself. +A few minutes later the halt was made and all eyes were +turned toward the point whence the man was approaching. +He must have noticed the stoppage, but he came +straight on until he joined the group.</p> +<p>“Howdy, pards,” was his greeting.</p> +<p>“I thought it was you, Vose,” said the captain, +sharply; “what do you mean by following us?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></div> +<p>“What right have you to get in front of me? Don’t +I have to make a trip to Sacramento three or four times +each year?”</p> +<p>“But you are not accustomed to start in the night +time.”</p> +<p>“And I never knowed it was your custom to leave +New Constantinople in the middle of the night; leastways +I never knowed you to do it afore.”</p> +<p>“We have important business,” added the captain +brusquely, uncertain as yet whether he ought to be displeased +or angered by the intrusion of Adams.</p> +<p>“So have I.”</p> +<p>“What is it?”</p> +<p>“Your good.”</p> +<p>“I don’t understand you; explain yourself.”</p> +<p>“There ain’t one of you three that knows the way +through the mountains, and if you undertook it alone, +it would take you three months to reach Sacramento.”</p> +<p>This was a new and striking view of the situation, +but the parson said:</p> +<p>“Each of us has been over it before.”</p> +<p>“Sartinly, but one trip nor half a dozen ain’t enough. +You lost your way the first hour in Dead Man’s Gulch; +if you hadn’t done so, it would have took me a blamed +sight longer to find you; there are half a dozen other +places in the mountains ten times worse than the one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +where you flew the track. Howsumever, if you don’t +want me, I’ll go back.”</p> +<p>And Vose Adams, as if his dignity had received a +mortal hurt, began turning his mule around.</p> +<p>“Hold on,” interposed Captain Dawson; “you have +put things in their true light; we are very glad to have +you with us.”</p> +<p>“That makes it all right,” was the cheery response +of the good natured Vose; “I never like to push myself +where I ain’t wanted, but as you seem glad to see me, +after having the thing explained, we won’t say nothing +more about it. Howsumever, I may add that I obsarved +you started in such a hurry that I thought it +warn’t likely you fetched any vittles with you, so I +made up a lunch and brought it with me, being as you +may not always have time to spare to shoot game.”</p> +<p>The chilliness of Vose Adams’ greeting changed to +the warmest welcome. He had shown more thoughtfulness +than any of them, and his knowledge of the perilous +route through the mountains was beyond value. +Indeed, it looked as if it was to prove the deciding factor +in the problem.</p> +<p>“Do you know our business, Vose?” asked the captain.</p> +<p>“I knowed it the minute I seen you sneaking off like +shadows toward the trail. I hurried to my cabin, got a +lot of cold meat and bread together and then hunted up +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +Hercules, my boss mule. He isn’t very handsome, but +he has a fine voice and has been through these mountains +so many times that he knows the right road as well +as me. I knowed you would travel fast and didn’t expect +to overhaul you afore morning, but you went past +the right turn and that give me a chance to catch up +sooner.”</p> +<p>“But how was it you suspected our errand?” persisted +the captain.</p> +<p>“How could I help it? What else could it be? I +seen the miss and the leftenant start for Sacramento, +and being as you took the same course it was plain that +you was going there too, if you didn’t overtake ’em +first.”</p> +<p>“You saw them start!” thundered the father of Nellie +Dawson; “why didn’t you hurry off to me with the +news?”</p> +<p>“Why should I hurry off to you with the news?” +coolly asked Vose Adams; “it wasn’t the first time I +had seen the two ride in that direction; sometimes she +was with you, or with the parson or Ruggles, and once +or twice with me. Would you have thought there was +anything wrong if you had seen them?”</p> +<p>“No, I suppose not,” replied the captain, seeing the +injustice of his words; “but I have been so wrought up +by what has occurred that I can hardly think clearly. I +ask your pardon for my hasty words.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span></div> +<p>“You needn’t do that, for I see how bad you feel and +I’m sorry for you.”</p> +<p>“When was it they left?”</p> +<p>“Early this afternoon.”</p> +<p>“There was no one with them of course?”</p> +<p>“Nobody except that big dog they call Timon; he +was frolicking ’round the horses, as if he enjoyed it as +much as them.”</p> +<p>Every atom of news was painful, and yet the afflicted +father could not restrain himself from asking questions +of no importance.</p> +<p>“About what hour do you think it was when they +left?”</p> +<p>“It must have been near two o’clock when the +leftenant fetched up his horse and the pony belonging +to the young lady. She must have been expectin’ him, +for she come right out of the house, without keeping +him waitin’ a minute. He helped her into the saddle, +while they talked and laughed as happy as could be.”</p> +<p>This was wormwood and gall to the parent, but he +did not spare himself.</p> +<p>“Did you overhear anything said by them?”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t have considered it proper to listen, even +if they hadn’t been so far off I couldn’t catch a word +that passed atween ’em.”</p> +<p>“Was there anything in their actions to show they +intended to take a longer ride than usual?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></div> +<p>“I don’t see how there could be,” replied the puzzled +Adams, while Parson Brush, understanding what the +distraught captain meant, explained:</p> +<p>“Was there anything in their appearance which suggested +that they meant to take anything more than an +ordinary gallop?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t think of it at the time, but I can see now +there was. Each of them had what seemed to be extra +clothing and perhaps they had food, though I couldn’t +make sure of that. You know there has been something +in the sky that looked like a coming storm, and +I thought it was on that account that the clothing was +took along. Then, as the leftenant had knocked off +work, it might be he was not feeling very well.”</p> +<p>“The scoundrel made that very excuse for leaving +me,” bitterly commented Captain Dawson, “but he +wouldn’t have taken the clothing as part of the same +design for there was no need of anything of the kind. +They laid their plans carefully and everything joined to +make it as easy as possible.”</p> +<p>“Your thoughts were precisely what ours would have +been,” said the parson, drawn toward the messenger +unjustly accused by the captain in the tumult of his +grief;“ if we had seen the two start, we should have believed +it was for one of the usual gallops which the +young lady is so fond of taking; but, Vose, if we would +have certainly gone astray in the mountains, without +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +your guidance, how will it be with them, when she has +never been over the trail and he has ridden over it but +once?“</p> +<p>“They are sure to have a tough time of it which will +make it all the harder for us.”</p> +<p>“How is that?”</p> +<p>“Some good luck may lead them right; more than +likely, howsumever, they’ll get all wrong; therefore, +if we stick to the path we may pass ’em a half dozen +times. You see it’s the blamed onsartinty of the whole +bus’ness.”</p> +<p>“I would not question your wisdom on such matters, +Vose, but when I remember that each of them is +riding a horse, and that the two must leave traces behind +them, I cannot apprehend that we shall go very +far astray in our pursuit. The most likely trouble as +it seems to me is that they will travel so fast that it will +be almost impossible to overtake them.”</p> +<p>“If they can manage to keep to the trail, it is going +to be hard work to come up with them. You haven’t +forgot that when I’m pushing through the mountains I +sometimes have to hunt a new trail altogether.”</p> +<p>“That is due to the trouble with Indians?”</p> +<p>“Precisely; sometimes it’s a long, roundabout course +that I have to take, which may keep me off the main +course for a couple of days, or it may be for only a part +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +of the day, but Injins is something that you must count +on every time.”</p> +<p>“And they are as likely to meet them as we?”</p> +<p>“More so, ’cause they’re just ahead of you. Oh, it +was the biggest piece of tomfoolery ever heard of for +them to start on such a journey, but what are you to expect +of two young persons dead in love with each +other?”</p> +<p>This was not the kind of talk that was pleasing to the +father, and he became morosely silent. It was equally +repugnant to Ruggles and the parson to hear Nellie +Dawson referred to as being in love with the execrated +officer. Ruggles was grim and mute, and the parson +deftly drew the conversation in another direction.</p> +<p>“I would like to ask you, Vose, how it was that Lieutenant +Russell did not take the other horses with him, +so as to make it impossible for anything in the nature of +pursuit?”</p> +<p>“There might be two reasons; he may have thought +it would be mean to hit you below the belt like that; he +was too honorable––”</p> +<p>“It warn’t anything like <i>that</i>,” fiercely interrupted +Ruggles.</p> +<p>“Then it must have been that if he had took all the +animals with him, even though they was a considerable +way down the gulch, the thing would have been noticed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +by others, who would have wanted to know what it +meant.”</p> +<p>“No doubt you have struck the right reason. Had +the start been in the night time, he would have made +sure that not even the mules were left for us. But, +Vose,” added the parson gravely, “we would be much +better pleased if when you referred to the lieutenant, +you said nothing about ‘honor.’”</p> +<p>“Oh, I am as much down on him as any of you,” +airily responded Vose; “and, if I git the chance to draw +bead on him, I’ll do it quicker’n lightning. Fact is, the +hope of having that same heavenly privilege was as +strong a rope in pulling me up the trail after you as +was the wish to keep you folks from gettin’ lost. But, +pards, Hercules is rested and I guess likely your animals +are the same, so let’s be moving.”</p> +<p>Although Captain Dawson had been silent during the +last few minutes, he did not allow a word to escape him. +He knew Vose Adams was talkative at times, due perhaps +to his enjoyment of company, after being forced +to spend weeks without exchanging a word with any +one of his kind, but there was no overestimating his +value, because of his knowledge of the long, dangerous +route through the mountains. When, therefore, the +party were about to move on, the captain said:</p> +<p>“Vose, from this time forward you are the guide; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +the place for you is at the head; you will oblige me by +taking the lead.”</p> +<p>Vose accepted the post of honor, which was also the +one of peril, for it is the man in his position whose life +hangs in the balance when Indians are concerned. But +there was no hesitancy on his part, though he was well +aware of the additional risks he incurred.</p> +<p>“There’s one good thing I can tell you,” he said, +just before they started.</p> +<p>They looked inquiringly at him and he explained:</p> +<p>“The hardest part of the climbing is over,––that is +for the time,” he hastened to add, seeing that he was +not understood; “you’ll have plenty more of it before +we see Sacramento, but I mean that we have struck the +highest part of the trail, and it will be a good while before +there’s any more climbing to do.”</p> +<p>“That is good news,” said Ruggles heartily, “for it +has been mighty tough on the animals; I ’spose too, the +trail is smoother.”</p> +<p>Adams laughed.</p> +<p>“I am sorry to say it’s rougher.”</p> +<p>Ruggles muttered impatiently, but the four took up +the task, Adams in the lead, with the rest stringing +after him in Indian file. The declaration of Vose was +verified sooner than was expected. While the mule was +so sure-footed that he seemed to meet with no difficulty, +it was excessively trying to the horses, who stumbled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +and recovered themselves so often that Captain Dawson +began to fear one or more of them would go lame. +Still in his anxiety to get forward, he repressed his +fears, hoping that there would be some improvement +and cheering himself with the belief that since all had +gone well for so long, it would continue on the same +line.</p> +<hr class='tb' /> +<p>Once, however, his horse made such an abrupt stumble +that the captain narrowly saved himself from being +unseated. On the impulse of the moment he called to +Adams in advance:</p> +<p>“Vose, I am afraid this won’t do!”</p> +<p>The leader did not look around and acted as if he +had not heard him.</p> +<p>“I say, Vose, isn’t it better that we should wait till +our horses can see the way?”</p> +<p>Since the leader took no notice of this demand, the +captain concluded his fears were groundless and said no +more.</p> +<p>“If he thinks it safe for us to keep on, I shall not +oppose.”</p> +<p>But Captain Dawson might have opposed, had he +known the truth, for, strange as it may seem, Vose +Adams did not hear the words addressed to him, because +he was asleep on the back of his mule Hercules, +as he had been many a time while riding over the lonely +trail. In truth, there was some foundation for his declaration +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +that he could sleep more soundly on the back +of his animal than while wrapped up in his blanket in +some fissure among the rocks. Fortunately for him, +however, these naps were of short duration, and, while +indulging in them, he relied upon his animal, which had +acquired a wonderful quickness in detecting danger. +The slightest lagging in his gait, a halt, a turning to one +side or a whinny was sufficient to bring back on the instant +the wandering senses of the rider. In the present +instance his slumber was not interrupted until Hercules, +seeing exactly where he was, dropped his walk +to a lagging gait.</p> +<p>On the very second Vose Adams opened his eyes. So +naturally that no one suspected anything, he checked his +animal and looked around.</p> +<p>“Pards, we’ve reached a ticklish spot, and it’s for +you to say whether we shall wait for daylight afore trying +it.”</p> +<p>“What is its nature?” asked the captain, as he and +the two behind him also reined up their animals.</p> +<p>“The trail winds through these peaks in front, and +instead of being like that we’ve been riding over all +along, keeps close to the side of the mountain. On the +right is the solid rock, and on the left it slopes down for +I don’t know how many hundred feet, afore it strikes +bottom. Once started down that slide, you’ll never stop +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +till you hit the rocks below like that mass of stone that +tumbled over in front of you.”</p> +<p>“How wide is the path?” asked the parson.</p> +<p>“There’s more than a mile where it isn’t wide +enough for two of us to ride abreast, and there are +plenty of places where a horse has got to step mighty +careful to save himself. Hercules knows how to do it, +for he larned long ago, but I have my doubts about your +hosses.”</p> +<p>“It might have been better after all if we had +brought the mules,” said the captain.</p> +<p>“Not a bit of it, for Hercules is the only one that +knows how to git over such places.”</p> +<p>“How do the others manage it?”</p> +<p>“They’ve never tried it in the night time; that’s what +I’m talking ’bout.”</p> +<p>Adams’s description enabled the others to recall the +place. It was all that had been pictured and they +might well pause before assuming the fearful risk. One +reason for wishing to press forward was the knowledge +that at the termination of the dangerous stretch, the +trail was so smooth and even that for a long distance +it would be easy to keep their animals at a gallop, while +still further the peril appeared again.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson once more struck a match and +looked at his watch.</p> +<p>“Half-past three; in two hours it will begin to grow +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +light; if no accident happens we shall be at the end of +the ugly piece of ground by that time, where the traveling +is good. It is a pity to lose the opportunity, but +I will leave it to you, parson and Ruggles; what do you +say?”</p> +<p>“Our horses have been pushed pretty hard, but they +are in good condition. I hate to remain idle.”</p> +<p>“Then you favor going ahead?”</p> +<p>“I do.”</p> +<p>“And you, Ruggles?”</p> +<p>“I feel the same way.”</p> +<p>“That settles it; lead on, Vose.”</p> +<p>“I’m just as well suited, but keep your wits about +you,” was the warning of the leader, whose mule instantly +responded, stretching his neck forward and +downward and occasionally snuffing the ground, as if +he depended on his sense of smell more than that of +hearing.</p> +<p>The task was a nerve-wrenching one, and more than +once each of the three regretted their haste in not waiting +for daylight; but, having started, there was no turning +back. To attempt to wheel about, in order to retrace +their steps, was more perilous than to push on, +while to stand still was hardly less dangerous.</p> +<p>The moonlight gave such slight help that the four depended +almost wholly upon the instinct of their animals. +Hercules never faltered, but advanced with the slow, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +plodding, undeviating certainty of those of his kind +who thread their way through the treacherous passes +of the Alps. Once his hind hoof struck a stone which +went bounding down the precipice on his left, until at +the end of what seemed several minutes, it lay still at +the bottom. Neither animal nor rider showed the least +fear, for in truth both were accustomed to little slips +like that.</p> +<p>“I’m blessed if this isn’t the most ticklish business +that I ever attempted,” muttered Captain Dawson; “I +never had anything like it in the army; it reminds me +of scouting between the lines, when you expect every +second a bullet from a sharpshooter––”</p> +<p>At that instant his horse stepped on a round, loose +stone which turned so quickly that before he could recover +himself the hoof followed the stone over the edge +of the precipice. The horse snorted and struggled +desperately, and the brave rider felt an electric shock +thrill through him from head to foot, for there was one +moment when he believed nothing could save them +from the most frightful of deaths.</p> +<p>The left hind leg had gone over the rocky shelf, +which at that point was very narrow, and the hoof was +furiously beating vacancy in the despairing effort to +find something upon which to rest itself. His body +sagged downward and the rider held his breath.</p> +<p>“Steady, my boy!” he called, and with rare presence +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span> +of mind allowed the rein to lie free so as not to +disconcert the steed.</p> +<p>The tremendous struggle of the intelligent animal +prevailed and with a snort he recovered his balance and +all four feet stood upon firm support.</p> +<p>“That was a close call,” observed the parson, whose +heart was in his mouth, while the brief fight for life was +going on.</p> +<p>“It was so close that it couldn’t have been any +closer,” coolly commented the captain, fully himself +again.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_A_COLLISION' id='CHAPTER_XIX_A_COLLISION'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>A COLLISION</h3> +</div> +<p>At this moment, the cheery voice of Adams called:</p> +<p>“There’s only about a hundred yards more of this, +but we’ve now struck the worst part of the whole trail.”</p> +<p>“If it is any worse than what we have just passed, +it won’t do to try it,” replied Captain Dawson, with the +memory of his recent thrilling experience still vivid +with him.</p> +<p>“We can do it, but we must foller a different plan.”</p> +<p>“What is that?”</p> +<p>“We must lead our animals. There are plenty of +places where you can get off your horses with more +comfort, but we can’t stand here doing nothing. Get +to the ground the best way you know how.”</p> +<p>It was clear that the advice of the guide would have +to be followed, and all four set about the task with the +cool daring shown from the first. Since each man was +to lead his animal, it was necessary to dismount in +front, instead of slipping over the tail, as would have +been easier. The beasts showed striking sagacity in +this delicate task. The trail was so narrow that to dismount +to the left, on the side of the dizzying precipice, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +made it impossible for a man to keep his poise, while +to descend on the right, directly beside the body of the +animal was almost certain to crowd him over into the +gorge. Each, therefore, lowered himself with infinite +care over the right shoulder of his steed, so well forward, +that the horse by turning his head to the left afforded +just enough room for the trick to be done. Every +one dismounted in safety, each drawing a breath of relief +when the exquisitely delicate task was accomplished.</p> +<p>Looking around in the gloom, Vose Adams saw that +his friends stood on the ground.</p> +<p>“Are you all ready?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied Brush from the rear.</p> +<p>“Hold the bridle so gentle that you can let go if +your animal slips off: if he has to go over the precipice, +there’s no need of your follering him.”</p> +<p>Each man took his Winchester in hand, and loosely +grasping the bridle rein, began stealing forward, the +captain’s loss compelling him to make his single arm +answer for both purposes. The advance was necessarily +slow, for it was made with the utmost care. The +path could not have been more dangerous than for the +brief stretch between them and the broad, safe support +beyond.</p> +<p>Several times the trail so narrowed that each trembled +through fear of not being able to keep his balance, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +while it seemed absolutely impossible for a horse to do +so; but one of the strange facts connected with that intelligent +animal is that, despite his greater bulk, he is +generally able to follow wherever his master leads. So +it was that when a miner carefully turned his head, he +saw his steed following slowly but unfalteringly in his +footsteps.</p> +<p>It was soon perceived that this perilous stretch did +not take a straight course, but assumed the form of an +immense, partial circle. When half way around, the +plodders came in sight of a huge rent in the distant +mountain wall, through which the sky showed nearly +from the zenith to the horizon. In this immense +V-shaped space shone the moon nearly at its full, and +without a rift or fleck of cloud in front of its face.</p> +<p>A flood of light streamed through and between the +encompassing peaks, tinging the men and animals with +its fleecy veil, as if some of the snow from the crests +had been sprinkled over them. On their left, the craggy +wall sloped almost vertically downward, the projecting +masses of rock displaying the same, fairy-like covering, +ending in a vast, yawning pit of night and blackness, +into whose awful depth the human eye could not penetrate.</p> +<p>On the right, the mass of stone, rock and boulder, +rugged, broken and tumbled together, as if flung about +by giants in sport, towered beyond the vision’s reach, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +the caverns, abysses and hollows made the blacker and +more impenetrable by the moonlight glinting against +the protruding masses.</p> +<p>It was as if a party of Titans had run their chisels +along the flinty face of the mountain from the rear, +gouging out the stone, with less and less persistency, +until they reached the spot where the men and animals +were creeping forward, when the dulled tools scarcely +made an impression sufficient to support the hesitating +feet.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson was but a few paces to the rear of +Vose Adams’s mule, whose surety of step he admired +and tried to imitate.</p> +<p>“Training seems able to accomplish anything,” reflected +the captain; “I remember how Lieutenant Russell +and I stopped on the further edge of this infernal +place when we reached it one forenoon and spent several +hours trying to find a safer path. It kept us in a +tremor until we were across. Had any one told me that +on the next journey I should try it in the night, I would +have believed him crazy, but,” he grimly added, “I +would have thought the same, if I had been told that a +necessity like this would compel us to do so.”</p> +<p>The bridle rein was looped over his elbow, which extended +behind him, the same hand grasping his rifle, +so that he advanced partly sideways over the treacherous +trail. He attempted to do nothing but look after +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +his own footsteps. Sometimes, when it was a little +harder to pull the rein, he slackened his pace. It would +not do to hurry the animal, since a slight disturbance +might cause him to loose his footing. The horse knew +what was required of him and would do it better by +being left wholly to himself.</p> +<p>It was because of this concentration of his mind upon +the one thing that the captain failed to perceive that the +mule in his front had stopped walking, until the rim of +his slouched hat touched the tail of the motionless animal.</p> +<p>“Helloa, Vose, what’s the matter?”</p> +<p>The guide said something, but kept his face turned +away, and his words, instead of being in the nature of +an answer, were addressed to some one who confronted +him. Adams was of slight stature, so that, although he +stood erect, it was easy for the captain to look over his +head and see what was beyond. That which was thus +revealed was another horseman leading his animal and +coming toward them. He was advancing in the same +manner as the miners, that is by leading his horse, and, +meeting our friends thus face to face, it was impossible +for either party to pass: one or the other must give way +and retreat.</p> +<p>A startling feature of this meeting was that the individual +who thus confronted them was an Indian of +gigantic stature. He was more than six feet in height +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +and of massive proportions. He belonged to what were +known as the “mountain Indians,” who were brave and +of irrestrainable ferocity. They were the most dangerous +people met by the miners in the early days on the +Pacific slope.</p> +<p>Equity demanded that this particular specimen +should back his horse over the few yards to the point +where the trail broadened, for the task was possible +of accomplishment, while the white men were unable +to force their animals in safety for one-half of the distance +behind them. Moreover, it was evident that this +Indian had deliberately started over the trail, with the +knowledge of the four white men approaching, so that +a meeting was inevitable. He courted an encounter +with them and was in a murderous mood.</p> +<p>Vose Adams knew all this and recognized the warrior +as one of the dreaded Indians, with whom he was +better acquainted than were his friends. He had had +several scrimmages with them on his trips through the +mountains, and held them in such wholesome fear that +he contrived to avoid a direct conflict. The diminutive +miner overflowed with pluck, but in a hand to hand +encounter, must be only a child in the grasp of the +aboriginal giant. The present situation, however, was +peculiar.</p> +<p>There can be no doubt that this savage sought the +meeting with the party, for on no other supposition can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +his acts be explained. He must have reasoned that on +the narrow ledge his enemies would have to meet him +one by one and engage him single handed. He was +like a chamois that had lived all its life in these wild +solitudes and was surer-footed than any white man. +What a triumph it would be (and was it unreasonable +to expect it?) for him to slay the insignificant pale face +immediately in his front, shove his mule over the precipice, +and then serve the remaining three in same fashion!</p> +<p>“Get out of this!” were the words which Vose +Adams addressed to the Indian, directly after the question +of Captain Dawson to himself, and when the enemies +were within six feet of each other; “there isn’t +room for both of us; you knew that before you started; +one of us has got to give way and I’ll be hanged if I +do!”</p> +<p>Inasmuch as the red man did not understand a word +of English, it is not to be supposed that he grasped the +whole meaning of this command, but the situation must +have made it evident that he had been ordered to back +his horse and to open a way for the white men, and inasmuch +as he had come upon the trail for the express +purpose of bringing about this encounter, it seems +hardly necessary to say that he failed to obey the order. +Instead, he repeated some words in his own language, +which it is not unlikely were of the same import as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +those addressed to him, for he resolutely maintained +his place.</p> +<p>“I tell you,” added Vose, raising his voice, as if that +could help make his meaning clear; “if you don’t do +as I say, somebody is going to get hurt!”</p> +<p>The warrior, who was carrying a rifle, stooped and +gently let it fall beside him. At the same moment he +let go of the thong which served as a bridle. Thus both +hands were free and he crouched down with his hideous +face thrust forward and took a slow, half-step toward +Adams.</p> +<p>The coarse black hair dangling loosely about his +shoulders, the broad frightful countenance, which, however, +was devoid of paint, the glittering, basilisk-like +eyes, the sinewy half-bent finger, with the right fingers +closed like a vise around the handle of the knife at his +waist, while gently drawing it forth, the catlike advance,––all +these made him so terrible an enemy that +the bravest man might well doubt the result of a meeting +with him.</p> +<p>And yet the closest scrutiny of Vose Adams would +not have discovered any tremor in his frame, or so +much as a blanching of his face. He fully comprehended +the nature of the peril that impended, but with +the cool readiness of a veteran, he had fixed upon his +line of action, in the same moment that he read the purpose +of his formidable enemy.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></div> +<p>The preliminary actions of the guide were similar +to that of the warrior. The bridle rein dropped from +his hand, and, slightly stooping, he let his Winchester +fall to the ground beside him. Then his knife flashed +out and he was ready.</p> +<p>Since only the mule was between Captain Dawson +and the combatants, he observed all this and interpreted +its meaning.</p> +<p>“Vose, what do you mean to do?” he sharply asked.</p> +<p>“Have a little dispute with the fellow,” replied +Adams, without removing his gaze from the face of +the savage.</p> +<p>“You mustn’t do it.”</p> +<p>“It sorter looks as if it can’t be helped, captain.”</p> +<p>“I shall prevent it.”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“Thus!”</p> +<p>The captain had laid down his rifle and drawn his +revolver, in the use of which he was an expert. While +thus engaged, he stooped down, so that the interposing +body of the mule, prevented the Indian from observing +what he was doing. When his weapon was ready and +just as he uttered his last word, he straightened up like +a flash. Adams being of short stature and in a stooping +posture, gave him just the chance he needed. His single +arm was extended with the quickness of lightning +and he fired. The bullet bored its way through the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +bronzed skull of the Indian, who, with an ear-splitting +screech, flung his arms aloft, leaped several feet from +the ground, toppled sideways over the edge of the trail +and went tumbling, rolling and doubling down the +precipice far beyond sight, into the almost fathomless +abyss below.</p> +<p>“That’s what I call a low down trick!” was the disgusted +exclamation of Adams, looking round with a +reproachful expression.</p> +<p>“Do you refer to the Indian?” asked the captain.</p> +<p>“No; to you; I had just got ready for him and had +everything fixed when you interfered.”</p> +<p>“Vose, you are a fool,” was the comment of his +friend.</p> +<p>“And why?”</p> +<p>“That fellow was twice as big as you and you hadn’t +an earthly chance in a fight with him.”</p> +<p>“Do you ’spose that is the first time I ever met a +mountain Injin?”</p> +<p>“You never fought one of that size in this spot.”</p> +<p>“What difference does the spot make?”</p> +<p>“I want you to understand,” said the captain with +assumed gravity, “that I didn’t interfere out of any +regard for you.”</p> +<p>“What the mischief are you driving at?” demanded +the puzzled guide.</p> +<p>“Under ordinary circumstances, I would have stood +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +by and watched the flurry, only wishing that the best +man might win. That means, of course, that you would +have been the loser. But we need some one to guide +us through the mountains; you haven’t done it yet; +when your work is over you may go and live on wild +Indians for all I care.”</p> +<p>Vose quickly regained his good nature. He returned +his knife to its resting place, picked up his rifle, grasped +the bridle rein and gently pulled.</p> +<p>“Come, Hercules; I don’t know whether they appreciate +us or not; steady now!”</p> +<p>“What are you going to do with that horse in front +of you?” asked the captain.</p> +<p>“Hang it! if I didn’t forget about him; back with +you!” he commanded with a gesture, moving toward +the animal, who showed the intelligence of his kind, by +retrograding carefully until he reached the broad safe +place so anxiously sought by the others. There he +wheeled and trotted off, speedily disappearing from +sight.</p> +<p>“Vose, you might have traded Hercules for him.”</p> +<p>“Not much! I wouldn’t give that mule for a drove +of horses that have belonged to these mountain Injins.”</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with them? Aren’t they as +good as ours?”</p> +<p>“They’re too good; you can’t tell what trick they’ll +sarve you; I was once riding through these very mountains, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +on the back of a horse that I picked up––it isn’t +necessary to say how––when his owner gave a signal +and the critter was off like a thunderbolt. If I hadn’t +slipped from his back at the risk of breaking my neck, +he would have carried me right into a camp of hostiles +and you would have been without your invaluable guide +on this trip.”</p> +<p>“That is important information––if true––helloa! +it is growing light off there in the east!”</p> +<p>“Yes,––day is breaking,” added Vose.</p> +<p>The captain looked at his watch and found the time +considerably past five o’clock. They had been longer +on the road than any one supposed, and the coming of +morning was a vast relief to all.</p> +<p>The party were now grouped together, for the trail +was broad and safe. Parson Brush asked, as he pointed +almost directly ahead:</p> +<p>“Isn’t that a light off yonder?”</p> +<p>The guide gazed in that direction and replied:</p> +<p>“Yes, but it comes from a camp fire, which isn’t +more than a half mile away.”</p> +<p>The men looked in one another’s faces and the captain +asked in a guarded voice, as if afraid of being overheard:</p> +<p>“Whose fire is it?”</p> +<p>“There’s no saying with any sartinty, till we get +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +closer, but I shouldn’t be ’sprised if it belong to the +folks you’re looking for.”</p> +<p>The same thought had come to each. There was a +compression of lips, a flashing of eyes and an expression +of resolution that boded ill for him who was the +cause of it all.</p> +<p>In the early morning at this elevation, the air was +raw and chilling. The wind which blew fitfully brought +an icy touch from the peaks of the snow-clad Sierras. +The party had ridden nearly all night, with only comparatively +slight pauses, so that the men would have +welcomed a good long rest but for the startling discovery +just made.</p> +<p>Over the eastern cliffs the sky was rapidly assuming +a rosy tinge. Day was breaking and soon the wild region +would be flooded with sunshine. Already the gigantic +masses of stone and rock were assuming grotesque +form in the receding gloom. The dismal night +was at an end.</p> +<p>The twinkling light which had caught the eye of +Felix Brush appeared to be directly ahead and near the +trail which they were traveling. This fact strengthened +the belief that the fire had been kindled by the +fugitives. The illumination paled as the sun climbed +the sky, until it was absorbed by the overwhelming radiance +that was everywhere.</p> +<p>The pursuers felt well rewarded for the energy they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +had displayed in the face of discouragement and danger. +Valuable ground had been gained, and even now +when they had supposed they were fully a dozen miles +behind the fugitives, it looked as if they had really +caught up to them, or at least were within hailing distance.</p> +<p>Every eye was fixed on the point which held so intense +an interest for them. As the day grew, a thin, +wavy column of smoke was observed ascending from +the camp fire, which was partly hidden among a growth +of scrub cedars, some distance to the right of the trail, +whither it must have been difficult for the couple to +force their horses.</p> +<p>“That leftenant ought to have knowed better than +to do that,” remarked Vose Adams, “his fire can be +seen a long way off.”</p> +<p>“What else could they do?” asked the captain.</p> +<p>“The rocks give all the cover he needs.”</p> +<p>“But they could have no idea that we were so near,” +suggested the parson.</p> +<p>“It isn’t that, but the leftenant had ’nough ’sperience +with Injins on his way through here before to +know he’s liable to run agin them at any time. I never +dared to do a thing like that on my trips.”</p> +<p>“Let’s push on,” said the captain, who saw no reason +for tarrying now that they had located the game.</p> +<p>The ground was so much more favorable that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +animals were forced to a canter, though all were in +need of rest. Little was said, and Captain Dawson +spurred forward beside Adams, who as usual was leading.</p> +<p>Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush also rode abreast. +They were far enough to the rear to exchange a few +words without being overheard.</p> +<p>“From the way things look,” said Brush; “we shall +have to leave everything with the captain and he isn’t +likely to give us anything to do.”</p> +<p>“He’s mad clean through; I don’t b’leve he’ll wait to +say a word, but the minute he can draw bead on the +leftenant, he’ll let fly.”</p> +<p>“He is a fine marksman, but he may be in such a +hurry that he’ll miss.”</p> +<p>“No fear of that; I wonder,” added Ruggles, startled +by a new thought, “whether Vose has any idee of +stickin’ in his oar.”</p> +<p>“Likely enough.”</p> +<p>“I must git a chance to warn him that we won’t +stand any nonsense like that! The best that we’ll do +is to promise him a chance for a crack after you and me +miss.”</p> +<p>“That won’t be any chance at all,” grimly remarked +the parson.</p> +<p>“Wal, it’s all he’ll have and he mustn’t forgit it. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +There’s some things I won’t stand and that’s one of +’em.”</p> +<p>“We can’t do anything now, but we may have a +chance to notify him. If the opportunity comes to me, +he shall not remain ignorant.”</p> +<p>They were now nearly opposite the camp and the two +noticed with surprise that Adams and the captain were +riding past it.</p> +<p>“What’s that fur?” asked the puzzled Ruggles.</p> +<p>“That’s to prevent them from fleeing toward Sacramento. +When they find we are on the other side, they +will have to turn back.”</p> +<p>This was apparently the purpose of the men in advance, +for they did not draw rein until a hundred yards +beyond the camp. Suddenly the two halted, and half-facing +around, waited until Brush and Ruggles joined +them. The explanation of the guide showed that his +plan had been rightly interpreted by Parson Brush.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_THE_CAMP_FIRE' id='CHAPTER_XX_THE_CAMP_FIRE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>THE CAMP FIRE</h3> +</div> +<p>The trail, as has been stated, was broad and comparatively +level. The slope of the mountain to the +right was so moderate that it could be climbed by a +horse almost as readily as by a man. Its face was covered +with a growth of cedars, continuing half way to +the summit, when it terminated, only bleak masses of +rock, sprinkled with snow, whose volume increased +with the elevation, being visible above and beyond.</p> +<p>When the four pursuers came together, their faces +showed that they comprehended the serious business +before them. It was seen that Captain Dawson was +slightly pale, but those who had been with him in battle +had observed the same peculiarity. Accompanied, +as it was in this instance, by a peculiar steely glitter of +his eyes, it meant that he was in a dangerous mood and +the man who crossed his path did so at his peril.</p> +<p>It was evident that he and Vose Adams had reached +an understanding during the few minutes that they +were riding in advance. The words of Vose Adams +were spoken for the benefit of Ruggles and the parson.</p> +<p>“You’ll wait here till I take a look at things.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></div> +<p>“What do you mean to do?” asked Brush.</p> +<p>“I’m going up the slope on foot to find out how the +land lays.”</p> +<p>“And when you find that out, what next?”</p> +<p>“He is to come back and report to me,” interposed +the captain.</p> +<p>There was a world of meaning in these words. It +showed that the captain allowed Adams to lead only +when acting as a guide. In all other matters, the retired +officer assumed control. The opportunity of Vose +to pick off the offending lieutenant promised to be better +than that of any one else, since he would first see +him, but he had been given to understand that he must +immediately return and let the captain know the situation. +Adams had promised this and he knew Dawson +too well to dare to thwart him.</p> +<p>Brush and Ruggles could make no objection, keen +though their disappointment was. They watched +Adams, as he slipped off his mule, not deeming it worth +while to utter the warning both had had in mind. It +was the parson who said:</p> +<p>“I suppose we have nothing to do except to wait +here till you come back?”</p> +<p>“It looks that way, but you must ask the captain.”</p> +<p>“You won’t be gone long?”</p> +<p>“I don’t think so.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></div> +<p>“Be careful, but there’s no need of waiting,” said +the captain.</p> +<p>The three watched the guide until he disappeared +from sight among the cedars, when the captain added:</p> +<p>“Vose told me that it was possible that camp fire +had been started by Indians, but it seems to me there +is little likelihood of that.”</p> +<p>“Why?”</p> +<p>“Those people are so skilled in woodcraft that they +would have been on the alert against our approach, for +a brief survey of the trail for the last half hour would +have revealed us to them.”</p> +<p>“It may be,” suggested the parson, “that with every +reason to believe there is no danger of anything of the +kind, for it must be rare that a white man passes along +this trail, they did not keep a lookout.”</p> +<p>The captain shook his head.</p> +<p>“From what I know of the American race, it is unlike +them.”</p> +<p>“What knowledge have we that they have not maintained +such a lookout and discovered us as soon as we +noticed the camp fire itself? They may have formed +an ambuscade at some point further along the trail.”</p> +<p>“It is a disturbing possibility and I would be +alarmed, but for my confidence in Vose. He has been +through this region so often and knows these wild people +so thoroughly that he could not commit a blunder +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +like that. It seems to me,” added the captain a few +minutes, later, “that he is absent a long time.”</p> +<p>“It’s tough,” remarked Ruggles, “that things are +fixed so we won’t have a chance to take any hand in +this bus’ness.”</p> +<p>The captain looked inquiringly at him and he explained:</p> +<p>“You and Vose have set it up atween you.”</p> +<p>“I have told you that if your help is needed, it will +be welcome; I can add nothing to that.”</p> +<p>“The captain is right,” interposed the parson, “but +at the same time, he can see what a disappointment it is +for us.”</p> +<p>“I admit that, but we are not out of the woods yet.”</p> +<p>Before he could make clear the meaning of this remark, +Vose Adams emerged from the cedars, and the +three breathlessly awaited his coming. He broke into +a trot and quickly descended the slope to where they +stood. The expression of his face showed before he +spoke that he brought unwelcome news.</p> +<p>“Confound it!” he exclaimed with a shake of his +head, “they’re not there!”</p> +<p>“Then they have gone on up the trail,” said the captain +inquiringly.</p> +<p>“No; they haven’t been there; it isn’t their camp.”</p> +<p>“Whose is it?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></div> +<p>“Injins; there are five of ’em; they’ve just had their +breakfast and are gettin’ ready to make a start.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t they see you?”</p> +<p>“That isn’t the way I do bus’ness,” replied Vose +rather loftily; “it’s more’n likely, howsumever, they +seen us all awhile ago when we was further down the +trail. They’re traveling eastward.”</p> +<p>“How can you know that?” asked the parson.</p> +<p>“The Injin that took his dive off the trail ’bout the +time the captain fired off his revolver, was going that +way. He b’longed to the party and was sorter leading +’em; he was a chief or something of the kind.”</p> +<p>“Where are their ponies?”</p> +<p>“They haven’t any,––leastways he was the only one +that had, which is why I said he was some kind of a +chief. We shall hear from ’em agin.”</p> +<p>“Why?”</p> +<p>“I mean after they find out about that little row.”</p> +<p>“Why need they find out about it?”</p> +<p>“They can’t help it; they’ll miss their chief; they’ll +run across that horse of his and that’ll give ’em the +clue.”</p> +<p>This unexpected discovery put a new face on matters. +Five mountain Indians, the bravest and most implacable +of their race, were almost within stone’s throw +of the party. But for the occurrence of a brief while +before, they probably would have permitted the white +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +men to continue their journey unmolested, since the +strength of the two bands, all things considered, was +about equal, but when the hostiles learned of the death +of their leader, they would bend every effort toward +securing revenge. They would dog the miners, watchful, +alert and tireless in their attempts to cut them off +from the possibility of ever repeating the deed.</p> +<p>“But that chief, as you seem to think he was,” said +Captain Dawson, “is gone as utterly as if the ground +had opened and swallowed him. They will never have +the chance to officiate at his funeral, so how are they to +learn of the manner of his taking off?”</p> +<p>“It won’t take ’em long,” replied Adams; “his pony +will hunt them out, now that he is left to himself; that’ll +tell ’em that something is up and they’ll start an investigatin’ +committee. The footprints of our horses, the +marks on the rocks, which you and me wouldn’t notice, +the fact that we met the chief on that narrer ledge and +that he’s turned up missing will soon lay bare the whole +story, and as I remarked aforesaid, we shall hear from +’em agin.”</p> +<p>“It looks like a case of the hunter hunting the tiger,” +said the parson, “and then awaking to the fact that the +tiger is engaged in hunting him; it is plain to see that +there’s going to be a complication of matters, but I +don’t feel that it need make any difference to us.”</p> +<p>“It won’t!” replied the captain decisively; “we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +haven’t put our hands to the plough with any intention +of looking back. What’s the next thing to do, Vose?”</p> +<p>“We’ve got to look after our animals.”</p> +<p>“But there’s no grass here for them.”</p> +<p>“A little further and we’ll strike a stream of water +where we’ll find some grass, though not much, but it’s +better than nothing.”</p> +<p>Vaulting into the saddle, the guide after some pounding +of his heels against the iron ribs of Hercules, forced +him into a gallop, which the others imitated. The trail +continued comparatively smooth, and, being slightly descending, +the animals were not crowded as hard as it +would seem. A mile of this brought them to the water, +where they were turned loose. The stream gushed +from the mountain side, and, flowing across the trail, +was lost among the rocks to the left. The moisture +thus diffused produced a moderate growth of tough, +coarse grass, which the animals began plucking as soon +as the bits were removed from their mouths. They secured +little nutriment, but as the guide remarked, it +was an improvement upon nothing. The men bathed +their faces in the cold, clear water, took a refreshing +draught, and then ate the lunch provided for them by +the thoughtful Adams. Though they ate heartily, sufficient +was kept to answer for another meal or two, if it +should be thought wise to put themselves on an allowance.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></div> +<p>They had just lighted their pipes, when Wade Ruggles +uttered an exclamation. Without explaining the +cause, he bounded to his feet and ran several rods to +the westward, where he was seen to stoop and pick +something from the ground. He examined it closely +and then, as he turned about and came back more +slowly it was perceived that he held a white handkerchief +in his hand. His action caused the others to rise +to his feet.</p> +<p>“What have you there?” asked Captain Dawson, +suspecting its identity.</p> +<p>“I guess you have seen it before,” replied Wade, +handing the piece of fine, bordered linen to him. He +turned it over with strange emotions, for he was quick +to recognize it.</p> +<p>“Yes,” he said, compressing his lips; “it is hers; +she dropped it there––how long ago, Vose?”</p> +<p>The latter examined the handkerchief, as if looking +for the answer to the question in its folds, but shook +his head.</p> +<p>“Even a mountain Injin could not tell that.”</p> +<p>The parson asked the privilege of examining the article. +His heart was beating fast, though no one else +was aware of it, for it was a present which he had made +to Nellie Dawson on the preceding Christmas, having +been brought by Vose Adams, with other articles, on +his trip made several months before the presentation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +There was the girl’s name, written by himself in indelible +ink, and in his neat, round hand. It was a bitter +reflection that it had been in her possession, when she +was in the company of the one whom she esteemed +above all others.</p> +<p>“It may have been,” reflected the parson, carefully +keeping his thoughts to himself, “that, when she remembered +from whom it came, she flung it aside to +please him. Captain,” he added, “since this was once +mine, I presume you have no objection to my keeping +it.”</p> +<p>“You are welcome to it; I don’t care for it,” replied +the parent.</p> +<p>“Thank you,” and the parson carefully put it away +to keep company with the letter of Nellie Dawson +which broke her father’s heart; “I observe that it is +quite dry, which makes me believe it has not been exposed +to the dew, and therefore could not have lain long +on the ground.”</p> +<p>“You can’t tell anything by that,” commented Vose; +“the air is so dry up here, even with the snow and water +around us, that there’s no dew to amount to anything.”</p> +<p>All seemed to prefer not to discuss the little incident +that had produced so sombre an effect upon the party. +Wade Ruggles was disposed to claim the handkerchief, +inasmuch as it was he who found it, but he respected +the feelings of the parson too much to make any protest.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></div> +<p>The occurrence was of no special interest to the guide. +He had said they were in danger from the Indians and +he gave his thoughts to them. While the others kept +their seats on the ground, he stood erect, and, shading +his eyes with one hand, peered long and attentively over +the trail behind them. The clump of cedars from amid +which the thin column of vapor was slowly climbing +into the sky and the narrow ledge which had been the +scene of their stirring adventure were in view, though +its winding course shut a portion from sight.</p> +<p>“I expected it!” suddenly exclaimed Vose.</p> +<p>The others followed the direction of his gaze and +saw what had caused his words. The five Indians, +whom Vose had discovered in camp, were picking their +way along the ledge, with their faces turned from the +white men, who were watching them. Despite the +chilly air, caused by the elevation, not one of the warriors +wore a blanket. Two had bows and arrows, three +rifles, carried in a trailing fashion, and all were lithe, +sinewy fellows, able to give a good account of themselves +in any sort of fight.</p> +<p>A curious fact noted by all of our friends was that +while these warriors were thus moving away, not one of +them looked behind him. Their long black hair hung +loosely about their shoulders, and in the clear air it +was observable that three wore stained feathers in the +luxuriant growth on their crowns.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></div> +<p>“Is it possible that they have no suspicion of us?” +asked the parson; “their action in not looking around +would imply that.”</p> +<p>“Don’t fool yourself,” was the reply of Adams; +“they knowed of us afore we knowed anything of +them.”</p> +<p>“Why did they allow us to pass their camp undisturbed?”</p> +<p>“Things weren’t in the right shape for ’em. There +are only three guns among ’em, though them kind of +Injins are as good with the bow as the rifle, and they +made up their minds that if we let them alone, they +wouldn’t bother us.”</p> +<p>“You said awhile ago that we should have trouble +from them.”</p> +<p>“And so we shall; when they reasoned like I was +sayin’, they didn’t know anything about the little accident +that happened to their chief; it’s that which will +make things lively.”</p> +<p>“We can’t see the point where that accident took +place,” said Captain Dawson.</p> +<p>“No; the trail curves too much, but we can foller it +most of the way; they’re likely to go right on without +’specting anything, but when they find the horse, it’ll +set ’em to looking round. After that, the band will begin +to play.”</p> +<p>While the party were watching the five Indians, the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +leader was seen to pass from view around the curve in +the trail, followed by the next, until finally the fifth disappeared. +All this time, not one of the warriors looked +behind him. It was a singular line of action, and because +of its singularity roused the suspicion of the spectators.</p> +<p>While three of the miners resumed their seats on +the boulders and ground, Vose Adams kept his feet. +Doubling each palm, so as to make a funnel of it, he +held one to either eye and continued scrutinizing the +point where he had last seen the hostiles. He suspected +it was not the last of them. Instead of imitating him, +his friends studied his wrinkled countenance.</p> +<p>The air in that elevated region was wonderfully +clear, but it is hardly possible to believe the declaration +which the guide made some minutes later. He insisted +that, despite the great distance, one of the Indians, after +passing from view, returned over his own trail and +peeped around the bend in the rocks, and that the guide +saw his black hair and gleaming snake-like eyes. The +fact that Vose waited until the savage had withdrawn +from sight, before making the astonishing declaration, +threw some discredit on it, for it would have required +a good telescope to do what he claimed to have done +with the unassisted eye alone.</p> +<p>“You see I was looking for something of the kind,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +he explained, “or mebbe I wouldn’t have obsarved +him.”</p> +<p>“Could you tell the color of his eyes?” asked the +doubting Ruggles.</p> +<p>“They were as black as coal.”</p> +<p>“It is safe to say that,” remarked the parson, “inasmuch +as I never met an Indian who had eyes of any +other color.”</p> +<p>“There are such,” said Vose, “and I’ve seen ’em, +though I’ll own they’re mighty scarce and I never +knowed of any in this part of the world. Howsumever, +I won’t purtend that I could see the color of a +man’s eyes that fur, but I did see his hair, forehead and +a part of his ugly face. He knowed we was behind him +all the time, and this one wanted to find out what we +was doing. When he larned that, they kept on along +the ledge, but there’s no saying how fur they’ll go afore +they find something’s gone wrong.”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson showed less interest in this by-play +than the others. He was not concerned with what was +behind them, so much as with what was in front. The +belief was so strong with him that their persistent travel +through the night had brought them close to the fugitives +that he begrudged the time necessary for the animals +to rest and eat.</p> +<p>Parson Brush felt that Adams was acting wisely in +giving attention to the rear. It would be the height of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +folly to disregard these formidable warriors when they +meant trouble. Brush rose to his feet and using his +palms as did the guide, scanned the country behind +them.</p> +<p>He saw nothing of any warrior peering around the +rocks, but he did see something, which escaped even +the keen vision of Vose Adams himself. Beyond the +ledge and a little to the left, he observed a riderless +horse, with head high in air, and gazing at something +which the two white men could not see. The parson +directed the attention of Vose to the animal.</p> +<p>“By gracious! it’s the chief’s horse,” he exclaimed; +“do you see that?”</p> +<p>The other two were now looking and all plainly saw +a warrior advance into view, approaching the animal, +which, instead of being frightened, seemed to recognize +his friends, and remained motionless until the Indian +came up and grasped the thong about his neck. +Then the two passed from sight.</p> +<p>The identical thing prophesied by Vose Adams had +occurred under the eyes of the four pursuers. The +steed of the dead chieftain had been recovered, and it +would not take the hostiles long to penetrate the mystery +of the matter. Vose was wise in taking the course +he did, and his companions were now inclined to believe +his astonishing assertion that he saw one of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +number when he peeped around the curving ledge and +watched their actions.</p> +<p>However, it would have been absurd to wait where +they were in order to learn every move of their enemies, +for that would have been a voluntary abandonment +of the advantage secured at the cost of so much +labor and danger. Captain Dawson insisted that the +pursuit should be pressed without any thought of the +red men, and Vose consented.</p> +<p>“But there’s one thing we mustn’t forget, captain,” +he said, “and that is that it is daytime and not night.”</p> +<p>“I do not catch your meaning,” replied the captain, +pausing on the point of moving off to secure his horse.</p> +<p>“It is this: them people in front will keep as sharp +an eye to the rear as to the front; more’n likely it will +be sharper, and it will be a bad thing if they discover +us when we’re two or three miles off.”</p> +<p>“How shall we prevent it?”</p> +<p>“We can do it, if we’re careful. You’ll remember +that when you went over this route last, you come upon +places where you could see for a mile or more, ’cause +the trail was straight and broad, while there are others +where you can’t see more’n a hundred yards. Them +that I’ve named last is where we must overhaul ’em.”</p> +<p>“That sounds well, Vose,” said the captain, “but I +am unable to see how you are going to manage so as +to bring that about.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span></div> +<p>“While you’re getting the animals ready, I’ll take a +look ahead.”</p> +<p>This was not in the nature of an explanation, but the +three willingly did their part. Vose disappeared almost +instantly, and, though they took but a few minutes to +prepare their animals for the resumption of travel, he +was back among them, the expression of his face showing +that he brought news of importance.</p> +<p>“They ain’t fur off,” he said.</p> +<p>“How far?” asked the captain.</p> +<p>“I can’t say anything more than that we’re purty +close to ’em. Let’s push on!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_STRANGERS' id='CHAPTER_XXI_STRANGERS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>STRANGERS</h3> +</div> +<p>The signs of an approaching storm that had been +noted with some apprehension the night before, passed +away. The sky revealed hardly a cloud rift, and, when +the sun had climbed the mountain crests, the scene was +grand beyond description. But for the grim errand of +the four men, holding relentlessly to the pursuit, they +must have yielded to its impressive influence.</p> +<p>The trail remained so favorable for a couple of miles +further, that it was passed at the same easy, swinging +gallop. Vose Adams retained his place a few paces +in advance of the others, who saw him glance sharply +to the right and left, often to the ground and occasionally +to the rear, as if to assure himself that none of his +friends was going astray.</p> +<p>The moderate but continuous descent of the path +took them so far downward that the change of temperature +again became noticeable. The ground was rough +and uneven and the animals dropped to a walk. Sometimes +the course led around boulders, through sparse +growths of cedar, beside brawling torrents, two of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +which they were compelled to ford, where it was hard +for their animals to keep their feet.</p> +<p>“Last fall,” remarked the guide, at the most difficult +of these passages, “I had to wait two days before I +dared try to cross with Hercules and one of the other +mules.”</p> +<p>His companions nodded their heads but made no +other answer. They were not in the mood for talking.</p> +<p>They were now making their way through a cañon +similar to Dead Man’s Gulch, with rents and yawning +ravines opening on the right and left, before which the +party might have halted in perplexity, had it been in +the night time. But the path showed plainly and the +familiarity of the guide prevented any mistake on his +part.</p> +<p>Adams had intimated that by a certain line of procedure +the watchful fugitives could be prevented from +discovering the approach of the pursuers until too late +to escape them. In counting upon his ability to do +this, he overestimated his skill, for the task was clearly +impossible, and it was because of his efforts in that direction +that he made a serious blunder. He had crossed +for the third time a stream which was shallow, and, +upon reaching the opposite bank, where the ground was +moist and soft, he reined up with an exclamation of impatience.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span></div> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Captain Dawson, in +the same mood.</p> +<p>“We’ve passed ’em,” was the reply; “they’re somewhere +behind us.”</p> +<p>“How far?”</p> +<p>“That remains to be found out, but I don’t think it’s +a great distance.”</p> +<p>The captain angrily wheeled his horse and re-entered +the stream.</p> +<p>“If they don’t get away, it won’t be our fault,” was +his ungracious comment; “we have done little else +than throw away our chances from the first.”</p> +<p>The guide made no response, and the next minute +the four were retracing their course, their animals at +a walk, and all scanning the rocks on either hand as +they passed them.</p> +<p>It was clear by this time that the fugitives held one +important advantage over their pursuers. The route that +they were following was so devious and so varied in its +nature, that only at rare intervals could it be traced +with the eye for a quarter or half a mile. Certain of +pursuit, Lieutenant Russell and his companion would +be constantly on the lookout for it. They were more +likely, therefore, to discover the horsemen than the latter +were to observe them. Even if their flight was interrupted, +there were innumerable places in this immense +solitude where they could conceal themselves for +an indefinite period.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></div> +<p>The question the pursuers asked themselves was +whether the others had strayed unwittingly from the +trail, or whether they had turned off to elude their pursuers, +whose desperate mood they could not but know. +The latter supposition seemed the more likely, since the +path was marked so plainly that it could be lost only by +unaccountable carelessness.</p> +<p>At the first break in the side of the vast mountain +walls Vose Adams again slipped from his mule and +spent several minutes in studying the ground.</p> +<p>“They haven’t gone in here,” was his comment, as +he remounted.</p> +<p>“Make certain that we are not too far back,” said +the captain.</p> +<p>“I have made no mistake,” was the curt reply of the +guide. The party had gone less than twenty rods further, +when another rent opened on the other side of the +cañon, which was about an eighth of a mile wide. It +would not do now to slight anything, and Adams +headed his mule diagonally across the gorge, the animal +walking slowly, while the rider leaned over with his +eyes on the ground. Suddenly he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“We’ve hit it this time! Here’s where they went +in!”</p> +<p>All four leaped from the back of their animals. +Adams pointed out the faint indentations made by the +hoofs of two horses. Less accustomed than he to study +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +such evidence, they failed to note that which was plain to +him; the hoof prints of one of the animals were smaller +than those of the other, since they were made by Cap, +the pony belonging to Nellie Dawson. There could no +longer be any doubt that the pursuers were warm on +the trail of the fugitives.</p> +<p>Such being the fact, the interest of the men naturally +centered on the avenue through which the others had +made their way.</p> +<p>It was one of those fissures, sometimes seen among +enormous piles of rock, that suggest that some +terrific convulsion of nature, ages before, has +split the mountain in twain from top to bottom. +The latter was on a level with the main +cañon itself, the chasm at the beginning being ten +or twelve yards in width, but, occurring in a depression +of the mountain spur, its height was no more than +five or six hundred feet, whereas in other localities it +would have been nearly ten times as great. The base +was strewn with fragments of sandstone, some of the +pieces as large as boulders, which had probably been +brought down by the torrents that swept through the +ravine in spring or when a cloudburst descended upon +the upper portion.</p> +<p>Standing at the entrance, it was observed that the +gorge trended sharply to the left, so that the view was +shut off at a distance of fifty yards. It was noticeable, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +too, that the path taken by the fugitives sloped upward +at so abrupt an angle that it must have sorely tried the +horses.</p> +<p>“I thought so,” was the comment of Vose Adams, +when he returned from a brief exploration of the ravine; +“they got off and led their animals.”</p> +<p>“Have you any idea of the distance they went?” +asked Captain Dawson, who was in a more gracious +mood, now that he appreciated the value of the services +of their guide.</p> +<p>“No; I’ve rid in front of that opening a good many +times, but this is the first time I ever went into it.”</p> +<p>“Well, what is to be done?” asked Parson Brush.</p> +<p>“Why, foller ’em of course,” Wade Ruggles took +upon himself to reply.</p> +<p>“That won’t do,” replied Adams, “for it is likely to +upset everything; I’ll leave Hercules with you and +sneak up the gorge far enough to find how the land lays. +I’ll come back as soon as I can, but don’t get impatient +if I’m gone several hours.”</p> +<p>Brush and Ruggles showed their displeasure, for, +while admitting the skill of the guide, they could not +see adequate cause for the impending delay. They had +made so many slips that it seemed like inviting another. +It was clear that they were close upon the fugitives, and +the two believed the true policy was to press the pursuit +without relaxing their vigor. But Captain Dawson, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +the one who naturally would have been dissatisfied, was +silent, thereby making it apparent that Adams was carrying +out a plan previously agreed upon by the two.</p> +<p>Vose paid no heed to Ruggles and the parson, but +started up the ravine, quickly disappearing from view. +Believing a long wait inevitable, the three prepared to +pass the dismal interval as best they could. Here and +there scant patches of grass showed in the cañon, and +the animals were allowed to crop what they could of +the natural food. The men lounged upon the boulders +at hand, smoked their pipes and occasionally exchanged +a few words, but none was in the mood for talking and +they formed a grim, stolid group.</p> +<p>Hardly ten minutes had passed, when Ruggles, with +some evidence of excitement, exclaimed in a guarded +undertone:</p> +<p>“Helloa! Something’s up!”</p> +<p>He referred to the horses, who are often the most reliable +sentinels in the presence of insidious danger. +Two of them had stopped plucking the grass, and, with +their ears pricked, were staring up the cañon at some +object that had attracted their attention and that was +invisible to their owners in their present situation.</p> +<p>Convinced that something unusual had taken place, +Ruggles walked out into the cañon where he could gain +a more extended view. One sweeping glance was +enough, when he hurried back to his companions.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span></div> +<p>“Thunderation! all Sacramento’s broke loose and is +coming this way!”</p> +<p>The three passed out from the side of the gorge to +where they had a view of the strange procession. There +seemed to be about a dozen men, mounted on mules, +with as many more pack animals, coming from the west +in a straggling procession, talking loudly and apparently +in exuberant spirits.</p> +<p>“I don’t like their looks,” said Brush; “it is best to +get our property out of their way.”</p> +<p>The counsel was good and was followed without a +minute’s delay. The four animals were rounded up +and turned into the ravine, up which Vose Adams had +disappeared. They gave no trouble, but, probably because +of the steepness of the slope, none of the four +went beyond sight. Had the three men been given +warning, they would have placed them out of reach, for +none knew better than they how attractive horses are +to men beyond the power of the law. But it was too +late now, and the little party put on a bold front.</p> +<p>As the strangers drew near, they were seen to be nine +in number and they formed a motley company. Their +pack mules were so cumbrously loaded as to suggest +country wagons piled with hay. The wonder was how +the tough little animals could carry such enormous burdens, +consisting of blankets, picks, shovels, guns, cooking +utensils, including even some articles of furniture.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span></div> +<p>Our older readers will recall that for years after the +close of the war, tens of thousands of the blue army +overcoats were in use throughout the country. It +looked as if every man in the present company was +thus provided, including in many instances trousers of +the same material, though each person had discarded +the army cap for a soft slouch hat, similar to those worn +by the miners. All the garments were in a dilapidated +condition, proving their rough usage as well as their +poor quality. Many of the heavy boots disclosed naked +toes, while the mules had not known a curry comb for +weeks and perhaps months.</p> +<p>The faces of the men were anything but attractive. +Most of them were heavily bearded, with long, frowsy, +unkempt hair, dangling about the shoulders. Every +one displayed side arms, and there could be no mistake +in setting them down as a reckless lot, whom a peaceable +citizen would not care to meet anywhere.</p> +<p>The leader of this mongrel gang was a massive man, +who bestrode so small a mule that his feet were only a +few inches from the ground. There was little semblance +of discipline in the company, but a certain rude +deference to the fellow, who kept his place at the head, +and did the loudest talking, ornamented with plenty of +expletives, indicated his prominence among his fellows.</p> +<p>The mountain tramps had descried the three men +standing at the side of the cañon, watching them as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +they approached. They ceased their boisterous talking +and studied them as they drew near.</p> +<p>“Howdy, pards?” called the leader, raising his two +fingers to his forehead and making a military salute, +to which our friends responded coolly, hoping the company +would keep on without stopping.</p> +<p>But they were disappointed. Colonel Briggs, as his +men called him, suddenly shouted “Whoa!” in a voice +that could have been heard a mile off, and pulled so +hard on his bridle rein that he drew the jaws of the +mule against his breast, while the rider lay back almost +on the haunches of his animal, who showed his contrariness +by walking round in a short circle before standing +still.</p> +<p>“Which way, pards?” asked the leader, while his +followers, who with more or less effort succeeded in +checking their mules, curiously surveyed the three +miners.</p> +<p>“We intend to visit Sacramento,” replied Captain +Dawson.</p> +<p>“Huh! that’s where we come from.”</p> +<p>“On your way to the diggings I presume?” continued +the captain courteously.</p> +<p>“That’s what’s the matter; we’re going to New Constantinople, +which is the name of a mining settlement +in Dead Man’s Gulch. Do you know anything of the +place?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></div> +<p>“We live there.”</p> +<p>“The deuce! Queer town, ain’t it?”</p> +<p>“In what respect?”</p> +<p>“Don’t like visitors; Red Tom and Missouri Mike, +two of the gang with me, stopped there a year or so ago +with the idee of staying; the best they could do was to +sleep there one night and git fired the next morning. +That went agin the grain,” continued Colonel Briggs, +“and the more the boys thought it over the madder +they got. When they told the rest of us, we made up +our minds that the trouble was the diggings had panned +out so rich in them parts that the folks meant to keep +’em to themselves. I don’t call that square, so we’re +going down to divvy with ’em. Big scheme, ain’t it?”</p> +<p>Our three friends were astounded. The addition of +this gang to New Constantinople meant nothing less +than its moral ruin. It would bring a peril from the +first hour and doubtless precipitate a murderous conflict +with a doubtful issue.</p> +<p>“They are a peculiar people,” said Captain Dawson, +repressing all evidence of his anger; “it’s a mistake to +attribute their prejudice against immigrants to the richness +of the diggings, for though they have been worked +for years, they have not produced much. But they want +no strangers among them, and I know they will not +allow you and your friends to make your homes in their +settlement.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></div> +<p>Colonel Briggs threw back his head, opened his enormous +mouth and broke into uproarious laughter, most +of his companions joining him to the extent of a broad +grin.</p> +<p>“Do you hear that, boys? Won’t let us settle among +’em, eh? And there are nine of us and we hain’t had a +scrimmage since we left Sacramento, except with the +Injins, which don’t count. Stranger, we’re yearning to +hear your folks say we shan’t jine ’em, ’cause if they try +to stop it, it’ll make things lively.”</p> +<p>It was not a pleasant recollection of our friends that, +since their departure from New Constantinople, the +force left behind would be hardly a match for this desperate +gang of marauders, who no doubt were as eager +for trouble as they professed to be.</p> +<p>“Why not make a settlement of your own?” was +the conciliating question of Parson Brush; “there’s +plenty of room in this country.”</p> +<p>“That would be too peaceable like; it don’t suit us; +we’re looking for trouble.”</p> +<p>“And you’ll find it powerful quick,” said Wade Ruggles, +“if you try to shove that gang of yours into New +Constantinople.”</p> +<p>“That’s music in our ears; that’s what we’re hungry +for; we’re ready to start an opposition hotel to the +Heavenly Bower, too; we’ve got the stock to furnish +it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></div> +<p>“Wade,” said the parson, “keep your temper; we +can’t afford to quarrel with these men.”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t take much for me to shoot that chap off +his mule as he sets there.”</p> +<p>“Leave matters to the captain; it looks as if we shall +have a fight, but it is best to keep cool.”</p> +<p>The observant trio had noticed an additional cause +for uneasiness. More than one of the party were surveying +the three horses and mule with admiring eyes. +Some of them spoke to one another in low tones, and +there could be no doubt they looked with envy upon +the animals, which, tiring of their confinement in the +ravine, had come forth as if with the purpose of passing +under review, on their way to crop the grass from +which they had been driven.</p> +<p>“Colonel,” called one of the men behind him, “them +is likely animals.”</p> +<p>“I had obsarved that fact myself; strangers, I’ve +made up my mind to buy them critters; what’s your +price?”</p> +<p>“They are not for sale,” replied Captain Dawson.</p> +<p>“Why not?”</p> +<p>“We need them for our own use.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll trade.”</p> +<p>“You won’t do anything of the kind,” said the captain, +speaking with the utmost coolness, but with that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +paling of the countenance and glitter of the eyes that +Colonel Briggs would have done well to heed.</p> +<p>“Strikes me, stranger, you’re rather peart in your +observations,” said the leader with an odd chuckle; +“we ain’t used to having people speak to us in that +style.”</p> +<p>“It is my custom to say what I mean; it saves misunderstanding.”</p> +<p>“It’s my opinion, stranger, you’d better say trade.”</p> +<p>“It is of no importance to me what your opinion is; +we need the horses and the mule for our own use and +we shall keep them.”</p> +<p>“But you’ve got one more than you want.”</p> +<p>“He belongs to a friend who is not far off and will +soon return; we can’t spare one of them.”</p> +<p>“If we give you four of ours for the lot, that’ll make +an even thing of it. Besides, we’ll throw in something +to boot.”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t give one of the horse’s shoes for all the +trash you have piled on top of your animals; the stuff +isn’t worth house room, but it is what I should expect +to see in the hands of a lot of tramps like you and yours; +I wouldn’t trade our mule for the whole party which, to +judge by their looks, ought to be in jail.”</p> +<p>Brush and Ruggles were amazed to hear the captain +use such language, for it sounded as if he was trying +to provoke instead of avoid a fight. The truth was the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +veteran was thoroughly enraged by the evident purpose +of the fellow before him. Although his voice was low +and deliberate, the captain’s temper was at a white heat. +The point had been reached where a desperate struggle +seemed unavoidable, and he wished to precipitate the +crisis, inasmuch as it had to come.</p> +<p>Colonel Briggs did not laugh, but turning his head, +talked for a minute with the man nearest him, their +words so low that no one else heard them. Then the +leader turned back in a quick, decisive way.</p> +<p>“There don’t seem much use in talking, stranger, +so ’spose we make a fight of it.”</p> +<p>“As you prefer.”</p> +<p>The gang hardly expected so firm a front. Some of +them muttered to one another. They were not a unit +on the question, though it was evident that the majority +preferred to fight.</p> +<p>The three men stood with their backs almost against +the mountain wall. Each had a Winchester and revolver +and all were expert in the use of the weapons. The +others were gathered in an irregular group around their +leader. They, too, were provided with all the weapons +they could use, not to mention the extra guns strapped +upon the pack mules. They outnumbered our friends +three to one.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson could use his rifle as well with his +single arm as formerly with two.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></div> +<p>“He can’t fire before me,” he said in an undertone +to Brush, standing next to him; “when the shooting begins, +I’ll drop him off his mule before he knows what’s +coming. When I say the word, let fly as quick as lightning! +Likely enough they’ll win, but we’ll make them +pay high for their victory.”</p> +<p>“Do you notice that tall thin man at the rear?” asked +Brush, in the same guarded voice; “his eyes shine like +a rattlesnake’s; he’ll be <i>my</i> first target.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_FRIENDS' id='CHAPTER_XXII_FRIENDS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>FRIENDS</h3> +</div> +<p>Colonel Briggs was nonplussed for the moment. +He had failed to scare the men whom he meant to despoil +of their property and some of the mutterings behind +him showed that he lacked the unanimous support +of his followers.</p> +<p>“Boys,” he said, looking round in their faces; +“you’ve heerd what these strangers say to my mild requests. +Since they are too mean to trade, I leave it to +you to say whether we shall let up on ’em or make ’em +trade; which is it?”</p> +<p>“Trade! trade!” was the response, given with such +ardency that there seemed to be no dissent, though there +was.</p> +<p>“That hits me right; trade it shall be; the first one +of the strangers that kicks, fill him full of holes.”</p> +<p>“And the first man that lays a finger on my property,” +said Captain Dawson, in the same deliberate +voice, “will be shot down like a dog!”</p> +<p>The person whom Parson Brush had selected a few +minutes before for his first target and whom he was +watching closely, now did an extraordinary thing. This +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +individual was thin to emaciation. His beard was scant +and scraggly, and his large black eyes gleamed like +those of a wild animal. He had a very long body, and +sat so upright in his saddle, with his Winchester resting +across in front, that he towered head and +shoulders above his companions. From the first, he +fixed his penetrating eyes on Captain Dawson and +studied him closely. It was this persistent intensity of +gaze that attracted the notice of Brush, who set him +down as being even more malignant than the leader of +the disreputable party.</p> +<p>When a collision was impending, and must have +come the next second, the singular looking man, +grasping his revolver, raised his hand above his head +and called:</p> +<p>“Hold on a minute!”</p> +<p>His commanding voice and manner hushed every +one. From his place at the rear, he spurred his mule +straight toward the three men standing on the ground.</p> +<p>“Keep off!” commanded the parson; “if you come +any nearer I’ll shoot!”</p> +<p>The extraordinary looking individual gave him no +heed, but forced his mule in front of Captain Dawson, +upon whom he kept his eyes riveted.</p> +<p>“Don’t fire till I give the word,” commanded the +captain, who had become suddenly interested in the tall, +slim man.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></div> +<p>Halting his mule directly before Dawson, and with +no more than a couple of yards separating them, the +stranger craned his head forward until his chin was +almost between the long ears of his animal. He seemed +to be trying to look the officer through, while every +other man watched the curious proceeding.</p> +<p>Suddenly the fellow resumed his upright posture in +the saddle, his manner showing that he had solved the +problem that perplexed him. Through his thin, scattered +beard, he was seen to be smiling.</p> +<p>“What’s your name?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Maurice Dawson.”</p> +<p>“Formerly captain of the Iowa ––– cavalry?”</p> +<p>“The same at your service.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you know me, captain?”</p> +<p>The officer thus appealed to took a single step forward, +and looked searchingly in the face of the man that +had thus addressed him.</p> +<p>“There is something familiar in your looks and +voice, but I am unable to place you.”</p> +<p>“Did you ever hear of Corporal Bob Parker of the +––– Missouri?”</p> +<p>“Yes; you are he! I recognize you now! I am glad to +greet you.”</p> +<p>And shoving his Winchester under the stump of his +arm, Captain Dawson extended his hand to his old comrade +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +and shook it warmly, the two seeming to forget the +presence of every one else.</p> +<p>“Something in your face struck me,” said the corporal, +“but I wasn’t sure. The last time I saw you, +you had both arms.”</p> +<p>“Yes; I got rid of this one at the very close of the +war.”</p> +<p>“Things were pretty well mixed up around Petersburg; +I tried to get on your track, but failed; I knew +you meant to come to California, and when we drifted +here, I was hopeful of finding you, but I didn’t think +it would be in this style.”</p> +<p>While speaking the corporal had retained the hand +of the captain, shaking it occasionally as he spoke. He +now gave it a final pressure and dropped it.</p> +<p>“Captain, you and I went through some pretty tough +scrimmages and you were always dead true and game; +when we lost our colonel and major, you took command +and led the charge that day at Cold Harbor; +Grant or Sheridan couldn’t have done better.”</p> +<p>“It <i>was</i> rather warm,” smiled the captain, blushing +at the compliment; “but, corporal, it looks as if we are +going to have something of the kind here.”</p> +<p>Corporal Parker deliberately turned to the wondering +group behind him.</p> +<p>“Jim and Tom, you know what we agreed on, if +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +this should prove to be my old commander. You two +wore the gray, but you are true blue now.”</p> +<p>At this reminder, two of the company without a +word rode forward and placed themselves beside the +corporal.</p> +<p>“Now, we’ll face the other way.”</p> +<p>His suggestion was followed. The three wheeled +their animals around, so that their riders, like the footmen, +were in a line confronting Colonel Briggs and his +astonished company.</p> +<p>“Dress,” said the corporal, looking down and moving +his mule about until the alignment would have +drawn a compliment from a West Point cadet.</p> +<p>“Now, boys, are your shooting irons ready?”</p> +<p>“They gin’rally air,” was the significant response +of one of the men.</p> +<p>“All right, colonel,” added the corporal making a +military salute; “everything being in readiness please +let the skirmish proceed.”</p> +<p>Colonel Briggs emitted a forceful exclamation.</p> +<p>“What’s the meaning of all this? I don’t understand +it.”</p> +<p>“There are six on each side; that evens matters; +shall you start the music or do you prefer to have the +captain fire the opening gun?”</p> +<p>“But you haven’t told me what this means.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span></div> +<p>“It means that Captain Dawson and Corporal Bob +Parker have drunk from the same canteen.”</p> +<p>It must be conceded that Colonel Briggs had one +merit; no one was quicker than he to grasp a situation. +So long as there were nine men on one side and three +on the other, the success of the former was promising. +He meant to crowd the defiant miners to the wall and +would have done so but for the unprecedented turn of +affairs. Now it was six to six and he knew the mettle +of the three recruits that had joined the miners. Bob +Parker was the most terrific fighter in the whole company. +He was one of those men, occasionally seen, who +was absolutely without fear. He would have stood up +alone and fought the other eight. During that single +week in Sacramento, he gained the name of a terror +and caused a sigh of relief on the part of the authorities +when he left for the mountains.</p> +<p>The corporal always fired to kill, and his skill with +rifle and pistol was marvelous. While talking with +Colonel Briggs, he fixed his brilliant black eyes on him, +as if to intimate that he had selected <i>him</i> for his pet +antagonist. All this was disconcerting.</p> +<p>In this crisis, when every nerve was drawn tense and +the question of life and death hung on the passing of a +breath, Colonel Briggs leaned backward and elevating +his chin in the way that had become familiar, emitted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +one of his resounding laughs. Then he abruptly +snapped his jaws together like the springing of a trap.</p> +<p>“Why, Bob, this puts a different face on things,” he +said cheerily; “if the man’s a friend of yours, of course +we can’t quarrel with him.”</p> +<p>“I rather think not,” replied the corporal.</p> +<p>“I was in the army myself,” added the colonel, “but +didn’t stay long; me and General Grant couldn’t agree +as to how the war should be run, and one night when +no one was around, I resigned and left.”</p> +<p>“Then you didn’t win your title in the service,” remarked +Captain Dawson, who felt that he could afford +to show good will, now that the situation had taken so +remarkable a turn.</p> +<p>“Scarcely; the boys think that no officer lower than +a colonel is fit to command this crowd, so that’s how +I got the handle.”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson could not forbear saying:</p> +<p>“I think it much more befitting that a true and tried +soldier, like Corporal Parker, should be in your place.”</p> +<p>“It was offered to me,” said the corporal, “but I +refused it.”</p> +<p>“No; we agreed to make him a full-fledged major-general, +but he declined the honor with some sarcastic +remarks,” said the colonel; “howsumever, boys, now +that things have been straightened out, do you intend +to go with the captain or with us?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span></div> +<p>Corporal Parker addressed his two comrades.</p> +<p>“Wheel and salute!”</p> +<p>They faced their animals around, and, taking the +cue from the corporal, made an elaborate military salutation +to Captain Dawson and his companions. Then +they wheeled again and rode back to their former places.</p> +<p>“With my best regards,” added the colonel, also saluting, +while the rest half-nodded and grinned over +the odd turn of affairs. Dawson, Brush and Ruggles +unbent sufficiently to respond, but kept their places, side +by side, and watched the curious procession until it +passed out of sight beyond a sweeping curve in the +cañon.</p> +<p>“I wonder if we are likely to see any more of them,” +said the parson; “they are an ugly lot and badly want +our horses.”</p> +<p>“Not badly enough to fight Corporal Parker and his +two friends. The corporal is the bravest man I ever +saw. I know he was disappointed when the colonel was +so quick in backing down. He will go hungry for two +or three days, for the sake of a fight. It is he and not +the colonel or any one in the company that is spoiling +for a row.”</p> +<p>“And I picked him out as the first one to shoot,” +grimly remarked Brush.</p> +<p>“The chances are ten to one that he would have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +dropped you first, but it shows how easily one may be +mistaken.”</p> +<p>“I tell you,” said Ruggles earnestly, “when that +gang strikes New Constantinople, there’ll be trouble.”</p> +<p>“There’s no doubt of it,” commented Brush; “the +forces will be about equal; if the boys at home could +have warning of what is coming, they would make it +so hot for Colonel Briggs and his tramps that they +would be glad to camp somewhere else.”</p> +<p>“That wouldn’t improve matters, for of necessity +there would be passing back and forth, and there are +some people at New Constantinople who would welcome +the change. That’s the worst of it; a good deal +of this evil seed will fall on soil waiting for it.”</p> +<p>“We may be back in time to take a hand in the business,” +said the parson; “I don’t know whether your +friend, the corporal, can be secured as an ally.”</p> +<p>“It is doubtful, for about the only merits he has are +his bravery and his loyalty to his friends.”</p> +<p>“In my ’pinion the same is considerable,” commented +Ruggles.</p> +<p>“He would be a powerful friend to Nellie, because +she is a female and because she is my daughter, but,” +added the father with a sigh, “I have my doubts +whether I shall ever take her to the settlement again.”</p> +<p>This announcement strangely affected the two who +heard it, for the dearest schemes which they secretly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +nourished included the spending of their days in the +mining settlement. The hope of each had flickered +into life once more with the prospect of recovering and +punishing her abductor. They knew that she would +bitterly mourn his loss, and would probably be inconsolable +for a time, but the months and years would +bring forgetfulness and then––who should say what +<i>might</i> come to pass?</p> +<p>“We thought,” remarked Ruggles, as they resumed +their seats, “that we should have a weary wait for +Vose, but it didn’t prove so dull after all.”</p> +<p>The captain looked at his watch.</p> +<p>“He has been gone more than an hour, and there’s +no saying when he will be back. He has his own way +of managing this business, and, though I concede his +skill and superior knowledge in this part of the world, +it is hard to keep my patience when I see the hours +slipping away without bringing any results.”</p> +<p>But the patience of the three men was tried more +sorely than ever before, and to a greater extent than +any one of them anticipated. Noon came and passed +and without bringing Vose Adams. The party partook +sparingly of their lunch, leaving enough for their absent +friend, but the lagging hours wore away and they +still waited. They said little to one another, but the +captain, unable to restrain his restlessness, wandered +down the cañon. The two left behind watched him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +until he passed from view in the direction taken by +Colonel Briggs and his company. A few minutes later, +the report of his rifle came back to them.</p> +<p>“I wonder if <i>he’s</i> got into trouble,” exclaimed the +parson, rising to his feet and peering to their left, without +seeing everything to explain the sound that had +reached them.</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t wonder,” replied Ruggles; “everything +is going wrong; Vose wouldn’t stay away so +long, unless he, too, was in difficulty.”</p> +<p>“The captain may need us; he can’t be far off.”</p> +<p>Gun in hand, the couple walked hurriedly down the +cañon, on the alert for Indians, for it seemed more +likely that if any danger threatened, it was from them. +To their relief, however, they soon found their alarm +groundless. The captain was seen coming, apparently +as well as ever.</p> +<p>“Nothing is wrong,” he explained when they were +within speaking distance; “I saw an antelope among +the rocks and took a shot at him.”</p> +<p>“How near did you come to hitting him?”</p> +<p>“He made only a single jump after he received my +bullet; it’s a pity he didn’t make a couple of them.”</p> +<p>“Why?”</p> +<p>“It would have brought him over the outer rock and +into the ravine; then we should have had something +for supper. Haven’t you seen Adams yet?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span></div> +<p>Instead of answering directly the three looked toward +the fissure in the side of the cañon, and there, to +their unspeakable relief, they saw the man who had +been absent for so many hours. As is the rule at such +times, their ill-humor deepened.</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you wait till morning?” was the question +of the captain.</p> +<p>“I was afraid I would have to do so,” replied the +guide, whose flushed face and agitated manner proved +that he brought important news; “but I didn’t have to, +and got away in time to reach you afore night.”</p> +<p>“Not much before,” commented the parson; “you +must have had a remarkable experience to detain you so +long.”</p> +<p>“Rather, but I’m starving, give me something to eat, +while I talk.”</p> +<p>The lunch was produced, and he fell to with avidity, +but he saw they were in no mood for frivolity, and he +did not presume upon their indulgence.</p> +<p>“Wal, pards, after leaving you, I picked my way +as best I could up the gorge, which runs back, with the +bottom rising more or less all the way, for ’bout two +hundred yards when you reach level ground. That is +to say, the gorge ends, but the ground is anything but +level.”</p> +<p>“And they went all that distance ahead of you with +their animals?” asked Brush.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span></div> +<p>“That’s what they done; the tracks of the horses +were so plain there couldn’t be any mistake ’bout it. +At the top of the gorge, the trail slanted off to the right, +toward a big pile of rocks, caves and gullies, where it +didn’t look as if a goat could travel. There was so +much stone that it was mighty hard to keep on the trail +and I lost it.”</p> +<p>“And didn’t you find it again?” demanded the captain.</p> +<p>“Yes, but it took a good deal of time; that’s one +reason why I was gone so long, but it wasn’t the only +reason by a jug full. When I struck it agin, it led +straight toward a high rocky place to the left, where +I made up my mind the two were hidin’.”</p> +<p>“That would imply that they knew we were close +behind them.”</p> +<p>“There can’t be any doubt of that. What bothered +me was to learn what they had done with their horses, +fur the prints that I followed was made by the folks’ +feet. I couldn’t figger out what they had done with +the animals, and I spent some more time in trying to +larn, but it was no use.</p> +<p>“Bime by I struck better ground, where the trail +was so clear I could have trotted over it.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you do it?” asked Ruggles.</p> +<p>Adams shook his head.</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t have done; as I said they must have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +found out, purty early in the day, that we was after +them, for if they didn’t, why did they turn off the +reg’lar track?”</p> +<p>“Never mind asking questions,” replied the captain; +“go on with your story.”</p> +<p>“Wal, pards, by that time I must have been a mile +from here and it looked as if I’d have to go that much +further. I had a good mind to come back after you, +for time was important, but when another rocky, +walled-up place showed in front of me, I was sartin I +was close upon ’em. Their horses couldn’t make their +way through such a spot, and I was sure I had ’em +fast.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you come back at once?” said the captain, +“but, never mind, go on with your account.”</p> +<p>“I thought it would be best to find out just how +they was fixed. At the same time, it would never do to +let ’em diskiver that I was about. So I was powerful +careful and crept forward as if into an Injin camp. It +wasn’t long before I smelled burning wood. That told +me they had come to a stop, built a fire and didn’t +dream I was anywhere in the neighborhood.</p> +<p>“But I wasn’t through with the bother yet; it took +me another long time to find where that fire was burnin’, +but I hit it at last. A little faint streak of smoke +was climbin’ from behind a ridge, among a growth of +pines. I begun creeping forward when I changed my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +mind. I thought that if one of ’em happened to be on +the watch and see me, they would be off afore I could +git anywhere near ’em. So I worked round to the +other side to come upon ’em from that. Then you see +if they took the alarm, they’d have to come back toward +you or make another long circuit. Anyway, I was +sure of a chance to meet ’em.</p> +<p>“Wal, pards, I don’t want to make a long story of +what is a short one. I got round to tother side, but it +took me a good while, and it’s hardly an hour ago that +I catched my first sight of their camp.”</p> +<p>“What passed between you and them?” asked the +captain.</p> +<p>“When I rested my eyes on the little bundle of wood +burnin’, there wasn’t a man, woman or horse in sight.”</p> +<p>The listeners were dumbfounded for the moment. +After the waste of the greater part of the day, they +were no nearer seeing the fugitives than before. In a +voice, husky with passion, Captain Dawson exclaimed:</p> +<p>“It will take hard work to convince me that all this +was not done on purpose by you.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” demanded Vose, showing +more anger than at any time since the strange hunt had +been begun.</p> +<p>“If you had spent a week trying to fix things so as +to help them get away from us, you couldn’t have done +any better than your own account shows you to have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span> +done. The whole day has been lost and we stand just +as near success as we did twenty-four hours ago.”</p> +<p>“You ought to have returned to us as soon as you +located them,” added Brush in the effort to soothe the +ruffled feelings of the two.</p> +<p>“P’raps I didn’t do the wisest thing,” replied Adams +with unexpected meekness; “but I ain’t the first person +in the world that has made a mistake. Howsumever, +there won’t be any more slips by me.”</p> +<p>His companions looked inquiringly at him.</p> +<p>“I don’t understand that remark,” said the captain, +“when you are sure to blunder as long as you attempt +to manage things.”</p> +<p>“That’s the p’int; I resign from this time forward; +I haven’t given satisfaction and you may now do the +work to suit yourselves.”</p> +<p>“It’s just as well,” commented the captain, “for we +can’t make a greater mess of it than you.”</p> +<p>The story told by Vose Adams was a singular one, +but the most singular feature about it was that it did +not contain a grain of truth. Every statement was a +falsehood, deliberately intended to deceive, and, seeing +that he had succeeded in his purpose, he was satisfied.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_VOSE_ADAMS' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_VOSE_ADAMS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>VOSE ADAMS</h3> +</div> +<p>Lieutenant Russell gave no hint to Nellie Dawson +of the scheme upon which he had fixed his hopes, +until after she had confessed her love for him, and he +was certain beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he possessed +the sole affection of her heart. Even then he +hesitated for he knew the shock it would cause the gentle +one, who was devotedly attached to her father. But +the resolution of Captain Dawson to spend the remainder +of his days at the mining settlement, and his intention +of selecting her husband from among those that +had made New Constantinople their home for years, +crystallized the determination that had been vaguely +shaping itself in his brain for weeks.</p> +<p>As he expected, she recoiled shocked by the proposal +to leave her father; but love is eloquent, and he won +by convincing her that the separation would be only +temporary. Her father would be quick to see the great +wrong his course would inflict upon his child, and he +would not only consent to the union, but would follow +and make his home with them. It was this implicit +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +belief which made her the companion of Lieutenant +Russell in the flight from the mountain settlement.</p> +<p>The project having been carefully planned and arranged, +the preparations were more complete than those +of their pursuers. They took sufficient extra clothing +in the form of wraps and blankets, and enough food +to last for several days. They were well mounted and +had the companionship of the huge dog Timon, with +his almost human intelligence.</p> +<p>The lieutenant’s memory of places was good, and, +having a number of hours of daylight at command, he +escaped the mistake of his pursuers. The turn from +Dead Man’s Gulch was made at the right point, and +they were miles on their way before their flight was +discovered by Captain Dawson and his friends.</p> +<p>Both of the fugitives did not doubt they would be +pursued. They knew the consuming anger that would +take possession of her father, who would probably collect +several companions and start after them with furious +haste. He would take frightful vengeance upon +the man that had dared to steal his daughter. Everything, +therefore, must be done to keep beyond his reach +until his wrath had time to cool. The intention was to +make Sacramento ahead of him. At that city, the lieutenant +would seek out his future father-in-law and +plead his cause.</p> +<p>When night closed around them, they had penetrated +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +to a distance of perhaps fifteen miles in the Sierras. It +was at sunset that they passed a spot, where horses and +riders, the latter on foot, had to pick their way with +extreme care, while even Timon, who clung faithfully +to them, showed timidity, though he had been over the +place before. The sagacious brute knew that a mis-step +on his part meant death. The passage, however, was +made without mishap, and Russell, as he helped his +companion into the saddle, assured her that nothing +so trying to the nerves was to be expected during the +rest of the journey.</p> +<p>There was no fear of pursuit until after nightfall, but +Russell frequently pointed his glass backward and +scanned the trail over his whole field of vision. When +the gathering darkness shut out everything, he had +seen nothing of enemies, either white or red. He could +not forget that on his previous journey, he and the captain +had desperate fighting with the Indians and the +same peril still impended.</p> +<p>Nellie was eager to cover all the ground possible, +while the opportunity was theirs, and the flight was +pushed longer than Russell would have advised. Finally, +he insisted they should stop and rest themselves +and horses for the remainder of the night. The halting +place was selected with much care. The animals were +turned loose, where the grass was growing and a small +stream wound its way toward a larger one. Then the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +two, accompanied by Timon, pushed in among the +rocks to where the final halt was made.</p> +<p>They were in profound darkness. The lieutenant +decided to start a fire, and, with much difficulty, gathered +a sufficiency of dried branches. They were fortunate +enough to find a partial cavern, so open in front +that it would have given slight shelter in the event of a +storm. When the blaze threw out its cheerful light, it +served to dissipate the gloom which in spite of themselves +had oppressed them with the coming of night.</p> +<p>They partook of food and the lieutenant’s spirits +rose, for he saw nothing to prevent the full success of +the dream which had inspired and thrilled him so long. +His buoyancy was infectious, and he brought a smile to +the beauteous countenance by his merry sallies, and his +picture of the happy future that was close at hand.</p> +<p>“Your father will be angry at first,” he said; “it +would be strange if he were not, but he loves you and +I think has a pretty fair opinion of me. When he gains +time to think over the matter, he will admit the wisdom +of what we have done and we shall receive his blessing.”</p> +<p>It was this assurance, more than all else, that served +to lift the gloom from her. Deep as was her love for +the one at her side, it would not have sufficed to draw +her from her adored parent, had she believed that his +resentment against her would last. As it was, she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +grieved that even for a brief time, as she thought would +be the case, he should hold harsh feelings toward her.</p> +<p>No chivalrous knight of the Crusades could have +been more scrupulously considerate of lady intrusted +to his charge than Lieutenant Russell. He would have +died before offending Nellie Dawson by act, word or +presumptuous thought. When, as the night advanced, +the bright eyes began to grow drowsy, he arranged a +couch for her, saw that she was well provided with +blankets and then turned to the immense dog, who had +never left them and who looked as if he understood +everything.</p> +<p>“Now, Timon, you are to stay right here,” he said, +bending over and impressively shaking his finger at the +animal; “you are not to venture a dozen feet from your +mistress without permission. Do you understand?”</p> +<p>A whine and wagging of the tail left no doubt that +the wishes of his late master were clear to him.</p> +<p>“You have your gun at your side,” he added, turning +to Nellie; “I do not think you will have any call to use +it. We have not met any Indians and your father cannot +overtake us before morning. Timon will be sure to +give you warning of the approach of danger, and, if +your gun goes off, I shall be here in a twinkling.”</p> +<p>He bade her good night and departed. Enough wood +had been flung on the fire to keep it going for an hour +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +or two, but long before it sank to ashes, the girl had +drifted into dreamland.</p> +<p>The lieutenant carefully selected his own sleeping +quarters. He finally fixed upon a large flat boulder, at +the rear of the cavern occupied by Timon and his +charge; but, although beyond sight, he was near enough +to reach the spot on the instant needed. Spreading out +his blanket, he lay down upon it.</p> +<p>“This recalls the old days in Virginia, when mud a +foot deep, with the rain dashing in our faces, was what +we had for weeks at a time. This couch doesn’t equal +a feather bed, but it will answer.”</p> +<p>The night passed without incident and it was hardly +light when the young officer was astir. He visited the +horses and found them cropping the grass, but he +waited until Timon came to him before calling upon +Nellie. She, too, had been awake for some time and +they partook of their morning meal with rugged appetites.</p> +<p>She was so eager to hurry on that he lost no time +in taking the road again. Neither could doubt that +their pursuers were on their trail, and, with the aid of +his small glass, he carefully studied the country behind +them. It was not long before he made the discovery he +dreaded: four horsemen were following their footprints, +and beyond them were the five Indians picking +their way along the ledge in the opposite direction.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span></div> +<p>The lieutenant passed the glass to his companion +who scrutinized the party with the keenest interest.</p> +<p>“They must have traveled all night,” remarked her +escort, while she still peered through the instrument.</p> +<p>“That shows how dreadfully angry father is; I hope +it will not last.”</p> +<p>“Can you make out the members of the party?”</p> +<p>She studied them a minute or two more before answering:</p> +<p>“I think that is father who is close to the man on a +mule.”</p> +<p>“The one on a mule must be Vose Adams, for he is +more accustomed to that sort of animal. I am sorry +he is with the party.”</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Nellie, lowering the glass and looking +at him.</p> +<p>“He is so familiar with the trail, that it will be hard +work to outwit him; he isn’t the man to make mistakes. +Did you recognize the others?”</p> +<p>“I cannot be sure, but I suspect they are Mr. Ruggles +and Mr. Brush.”</p> +<p>“I have no doubt you are right,––not because I was +able to identify them, but because the two are partners +and your father would naturally go to them first. I +do not think any one of the four has a glass, so, despite +their sharp eyes, we have a big advantage in that respect.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span></div> +<p>“But they know the route better than we, and we are +losing time.”</p> +<p>The course of the trail took them out of the field of +vision of their pursuers. It was at the suggestion of +Russell that the two turned aside from the cañon into +the fissure-like gorge. This would have been a serious +mistake, except for the plan he had in view, for it must +place the pursuers in advance, the very thing which it +would seem the fugitives ought if possible to prevent.</p> +<p>The lieutenant had believed from the first that Vose +Adams, in threading his way through the mountains, +traveled a good many miles more than was necessary. +It was quite likely that, if he could follow a straight +line, he would shorten the distance one-half. Although +this was impossible, the young man, nevertheless, was +convinced that by changing the route, a good many +miles could be saved: and it was in his mind to do that +thing.</p> +<p>The lieutenant’s experience in campaigning had +taught him the danger of going astray, when picking his +way through an unfamiliar country, but the little compass +attached as a charm to his watch chain would help +him to keep track of the variations and windings, and +he was confident of coming out right. He and Nellie +were well mounted and armed, all of which being impressed +upon his companion, she offered no objection +to the radical change of plan which took them out of +the cañon into the ravine that led them they knew not +whither, but it was ominous of disaster that at the top +of the fissure, when the two were leading their animals, +a grievous mishap occurred. The pony of Nellie +slipped and sprained his ankle so badly that he whined +with pain and paused with his weight supported on +three legs.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_4' id='linki_4'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +<img src='images/p0270a-ins.jpg' alt='' title='' width='333' height='505' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +THE LIEUTENANT PASSED THE GLASS TO HIS COMPANION, WHO SCRUTINIZED THE PARTY WITH THE KEENEST INTEREST.––PAGE 269.<br /> +</p> +</div> +<p>“That’s a bad go!” exclaimed the dismayed Russell; +“it will be several days before he is able to travel.”</p> +<p>She examined the ankle, as best she could, trying to +soothe the pain by passing her hand over the injured +part, but it was plain that neither she nor her companion +could give any help.</p> +<p>“Poor fellow,” she said sympathetically; “you cannot +go any further; what shall be done, Fred?”</p> +<p>“Only one thing seems possible,––take you on my +horse.”</p> +<p>“And what will become of Cap?”</p> +<p>“We must leave him behind.”</p> +<p>“What will happen to him?”</p> +<p>“Some one will pick him up, or, after his leg recovers, +he may find his way back to the settlement.”</p> +<p>The impulsive girl flung her arms about the animal’s +neck and touched her lips to the silken nose.</p> +<p>“They shall not part us, Cap,” she exclaimed with +tears in her eyes.</p> +<p>The lieutenant watched this by-play, full of sympathy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +for the girl, but he was in a quandary. Prudence +seemed to demand that everything should be sacrificed +to speed by abandoning the pony. In all probability, +the latter would serve as a dinner for some of the +bears, wolves or other denizens of the mountains, who +would quickly harry him to death. To wait where they +were until the animal was able to travel rendered certain +a speedy meeting with their pursuers. The woodcraft +of Vose Adams would enable him to discover +with slight delay the point where the fugitives had left +the cañon, and he would guide his companions with the +skill of one of the mountain Indians themselves.</p> +<p>On the other hand, the plan he had in view imposed +prodigious work upon his own animal. Between the +halting place and Sacramento were many miles of easy +traveling, over which he could walk, but for long distances +the beast would be compelled to carry double. +In the event of close pursuit, this must prove a fatal +handicap.</p> +<p>In his perplexity, the lieutenant again examined the +hurt of the pony.</p> +<p>“It would be cruel to make him take a single step, +but he may soon recover. I am afraid to leave him behind +and to continue our flight with only my horse. +You know how dangerous it is to linger, Nellie, when +it is certain <i>they</i> are not far off–––”</p> +<p>She caught his arm and whispered:</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span></div> +<p>“Look at Timon! he has discovered something!”</p> +<p>The dog was standing a few paces in front of them, +with his nose pointed toward the cañon. He emitted +several growls and pricked up his ears in a way that +left no doubt that he was angered. The lieutenant had +hardly time to place himself in an attitude of defence +with his Winchester, when a soft footfall was heard, +and the next moment Vose Adams emerged from behind +the pile of rocks and approached them.</p> +<p>It was proof of the guide’s woodcraft that he was +able to come thus close before being detected by Timon, +who advanced threateningly toward him. A word, +however, from the lieutenant stayed the dog.</p> +<p>“Well, Vose,” said the young man, “this is unexpected.”</p> +<p>“So I jedge and I’ve a ’spicion that you ain’t tickled +half to death to see me.”</p> +<p>“We were always friends, but I can’t say that either +Nellie or I am glad to meet you under the circumstances; +for in truth, we have been doing all we could +to prevent such a meeting.”</p> +<p>“Things has that look,” added Vose, standing on +guard as may be said, for he was not free from misgiving +concerning the young lieutenant whom he had +managed to run down. His positive orders forbade +him to assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +him to defend himself, and he did not mean that this +handsome officer should catch him unprepared.</p> +<p>“Whom have you with you?” asked Russell.</p> +<p>“The captain, Wade Ruggles and the parson.”</p> +<p>“What we suspected; I presume no one of the three +feels specially affectionate toward me.”</p> +<p>“It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two +from quarrelin’ as to which shall have the first chance +to shoot you.”</p> +<p>“Why does Captain Dawson prevent them?”</p> +<p>“’Cause he means to have the first chance himself.”</p> +<p>“How about <i>you</i>?” grimly asked Lieutenant Russell.</p> +<p>“I’m left.”</p> +<p>“How’s that?”</p> +<p>“A low down trick was played onto me; as near as +I can find out, the captain comes first, Wade and the +parson next and me fourth. You can see for yourself +that there won’t be any chance at all left for me after +them three is through.”</p> +<p>“It doesn’t look so,––that’s a fact. But where are +the three?”</p> +<p>“Along the main trail, down in the kenyon.”</p> +<p>“Why did they not come with you?”</p> +<p>“I advised ’em to wait till I found out how the land +laid and they won’t leave the spot till I get back.”</p> +<p>Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +that flashed upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a +prisoner? The loss of his services to the party would +be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding place +of the fugitives never would have become known to +them without the help of the guide. It was a daring +scheme, but there were so many objections to carrying +it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth he thought +of a much better plan.</p> +<p>“You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the +four men––for I may as well include yourself––feel +bitterer toward me than I suspected: do you think this +enmity of theirs will last?”</p> +<p>“Not for long.”</p> +<p>“How long?”</p> +<p>“They’ll let up as soon as you’re shot.”</p> +<p>Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this +way of putting it, while Nellie was so horrified that she +gasped and stared and listened in silence.</p> +<p>“There can be little doubt that you are right, but I +meant to ask whether you do not think the captain will +moderate his anger when he is given time to think it +over.”</p> +<p>“He has had all night to do that, and this mornin’ +he was hotter if anything, than at any time since he +larned what you had done.”</p> +<p>“When did he learn it?”</p> +<p>Thereupon, Vose told the facts which have already +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span> +been made known to the reader, the most interesting +feature of which was that Adams was not an original +member of the pursuing party. But, although the +guide was so pronounced in his opinion of the continuance +of the enmity of Captain Dawson, the lieutenant +believed otherwise. He was confident that if he and +Nellie could reach Sacramento before meeting the irate +father, the latter would be open to reason, and all would +turn out well.</p> +<p>Vose turned to the young woman.</p> +<p>“Nellie, do you want a little advice from me?”</p> +<p>“I am glad to have it at any time.”</p> +<p>“Howsumever, what I say is as much for the leftenant +as for you, which the same is that both of you +should give up this bus’ness.”</p> +<p>“But,” said Nellie, “you have just told us that +father is so angry with Lieutenant Russell that he will +shoot him the moment they meet.”</p> +<p>“We can fix that easy ’nough; let the leftenant stay +here while you go with me; I think we can explain +matters to the captain and the others so they won’t +bother the leftenant.”</p> +<p>“And what am <i>I</i> to do?” asked Russell.</p> +<p>“Push on to Sacramento as fast as you can, for +though I think I can fix it, I wouldn’t advise you to +take too many chances.”</p> +<p>“In other words, after Nellie and I have fled from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +the settlement and got this far on the road to safety, +you urge me to give her up forever.”</p> +<p>“Wal, that’s lookin’ a little further ahead than I +meant to, but I ’spose it amounts to that.”</p> +<p>“You mean well, Vose, but do you imagine that +Nellie and I did not count the cost before turning our +backs on New Constantinople? Don’t you suppose we +knew we should be pursued and were prepared for the +consequences?”</p> +<p>“I can’t say as to that, but it strikes me that the plan +I laid before you is the only one there is.”</p> +<p>“Why?”</p> +<p>“You cannot get away from the captain and the men +with him.”</p> +<p>“Well, there is no call for me to repeat my opinion, +but I will say that the decision shall rest with Nellie +herself. If she wishes to go with you I will interpose +not a word of objection.”</p> +<p>He looked toward her as an invitation for her to +speak. There was a world of affection and faith in the +lustrous eyes, as she walked resolutely forward and +placed herself by his side.</p> +<p>“Only death shall separate us!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_AN_UNEXPECTED_ALLY' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_AN_UNEXPECTED_ALLY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED ALLY</h3> +</div> +<p>The lovelight shone in the eyes of Lieutenant Russell, +as he looked down at the slight figure beside him. +He tenderly passed his arm around the girl and touched +his lips to her forehead.</p> +<p>“It was not that I doubted you, Nellie,” he said, +“but that Vose might know the full truth.”</p> +<p>Then turning to the guide, he asked:</p> +<p>“Do you still advise her to leave me?”</p> +<p>Vose Adams was unaccustomed to scenes like this. +He moved about uneasily, coughed, cleared his throat, +and for a few minutes was at a loss for words.</p> +<p>“I don’t know what to advise,” he finally said; “but +don’t you think, if she could go to the captain and let +him see how she feels, he will give in? How would it +do for both of you to walk back with your arms round +each other’s neck and sayin’ sweet words––wouldn’t +that fetch him? Hanged, if I know what to tell you!” +he exclaimed desperately, observing the smiles on their +faces.</p> +<p>“I am afraid your plan wouldn’t work,” said the +lieutenant, “but you have proved yourself the very +friend we need.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span></div> +<p>These words were a hint of the scheme that had come +into the brain of the young officer. Had he made a +prisoner of Vose Adams, as he thought for a minute +of doing, the guide would really be more dangerous, +since there was no way of guarding against his treachery, +but if he could be turned into a friend, it would be +almost equivalent to saving the fugitives. It was that +for which the young man planned, but he felt that the +real work must be done by Nellie. He could not win +the good will of Vose, but she could, for who was able +to resist her appeals?</p> +<p>It was a proof of the brightness of the girl that she +caught the purpose of her escort the moment his last +words were uttered, and she performed her part with a +cleverness that could not have been surpassed.</p> +<p>Tears were in the eyes of the emotional Nellie, but +she stepped across the brief intervening space and laid +her hand on the arm of Adams.</p> +<p>“How glad I am, Vose, that you will help us, for +you have told enough to show that it will not do for us +to meet father for some time to come; we are now in +your hands.”</p> +<p>“Blamed if I won’t do anything I can! But what +can <i>I</i> do? ’Spose I sneak back, shoot the captain and +then plug Ruggles and the parson? Will that suit +you?”</p> +<p>“Gracious; I should rather you would kill me than +harm a hair of father’s head.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span></div> +<p>“Wal, ’spose I shoot you and the leftenant and the +captain and the rest? No; that won’t do; how the mischief +shall I fix things?”</p> +<p>The cooler headed Russell saw that the problem had +been solved; Nellie Dawson had won over Vose Adams, +as may be said, by the turn of her finger. He was eager +to do all he could to help them, but in the flurry of the +moment could not reason with his usual acumen.</p> +<p>“We don’t want any shooting, Vose; I am sure that +if we can reach Sacramento without meeting the captain, +his anger will pass away. In Sacramento, I shall +be able to arrange a meeting between him and his +daughter, and his love for her will break down the barriers +and do the rest.”</p> +<p>“I’m in too deep water when you get to figgerin’ +that way, but there seems to be reason in what you say, +but what about Ruggles and the parson?”</p> +<p>“We’ll leave them out; they are in this as the friends +of Captain Dawson, and will not dare go contrary to +his wishes, but if they do, it can make no difference to +my plan.”</p> +<p>“They’re just as savage as the captain,” said Vose +significantly; “and it won’t do to forget ’em; but what +did you expect to do, when you left the kenyon? If +you come back, you would have been sartin to meet us, +and what then?”</p> +<p>“My intention was not to return, but to keep away +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +from the main trail and hunt a shorter road through +the mountains to Sacramento.”</p> +<p>Vose Adams gave a low whistle of astonishment.</p> +<p>“That’s the worst I ever heard!”</p> +<p>“And why?”</p> +<p>“You’re not follerin’ any trail at all; you would be +sartin to get lost and would never find your way +through the mountains; anyhow it would take you three +or four years, which I ca’clate is longer than you want +to wait.”</p> +<p>“How can you be so positive?”</p> +<p>“It’s true I never went to Sacramento and back, except +by follerin’ for most of the way the trail that I know +so well, but other folks as smart as you have been lost +in the mountains and you couldn’t help it.”</p> +<p>“You advise against it then?”</p> +<p>“I’m so sure of your goin’ wrong that I won’t try +to help you unless you give up the idee.”</p> +<p>“Then I hereby give it up.”</p> +<p>Since Vose Adams had committed himself to Russell +and Nellie’s interests, there was no more talking +at cross purposes. The object of the three was the +same, and they sat down on the rocks for consultation. +There was abundance of time in which to do this, since +those whom they feared would not leave the cañon until +the return of their guide, and he did not mean to go +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +back until the day was so far spent that further delay +was unavoidable.</p> +<p>“They will be mad when they see me,” he said with +a grin, “but it won’t do them any good and I’ll fix up +a yarn about gettin’ on and then off your trail agin, +that they’ll have to be satisfied with.”</p> +<p>“That will serve for to-night, but you will all be +astir at an early hour to-morrow morning.”</p> +<p>“They will still have to depend on me to guide ’em, +and I rather think I can steer ’em off the track, so as +to give you plenty of time to get out of the way.”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“As soon as they leave the kenyon, that is as soon +as the way is clear, you must ride back to it and put +on all steam for Sacramento, for I understand, leftenant, +that you’ve give up your idee of finding a new +route through the mountains.”</p> +<p>“I have.”</p> +<p>“You’ve got two good animals and you’ll gain a full +day’s start.”</p> +<p>“You forget about poor Cap,” said Nellie.</p> +<p>“So I did! if he can’t go with you, you’ll have to +leave him behind and ride double, but it will be rather +tough on your horse, leftenant.”</p> +<p>“Nellie doesn’t weigh enough to make any difference, +and I expect to walk most of the distance.”</p> +<p>An unexpected piece of good fortune raised the spirits +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +of the three. To the amazement of all, Cap, the +pony, was seen hunting for grass and bearing upon the +lame foot with little inconvenience. That which was +thought to be a bad sprain was only a wrench, from +which he promised speedily to recover.</p> +<p>“He’ll be as well as ever by to-morrow mornin’,” +said Vose Adams; “you’ll need to humor him at first, +but not for long.”</p> +<p>As has been intimated, the guide remained with them +through most of the afternoon, for, if he had gone back +to his friends earlier than he did, he would not have +dared to offer any excuse for not leading them in the +pursuit, and he meant to avert all possibility of that. +The reader understands by this time why the guide formulated +such an astounding fiction when attempting +to explain the cause of his delay. Had his listeners +been in cooler mood, they might have tangled him up +with a few questions, but their exasperation and disgust +prevented.</p> +<p>Before parting with the fugitives, Vose assured them +that he was confident their plans could not fail.</p> +<p>“All they’ve got to do,” he reflected, “is to do nothing +afore to-morrow and then when the road is open, +strike out over the main trail as hard as they can travel. +I hope none of them Injins that we had the row with +will be pokin’ ’round to-night, for if there’s to be any +trouble, it’ll come from them.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span></div> +<p>It will be recalled that the story of Adams was received +with such coolness that he indignantly resigned +and told the captain to run matters himself.</p> +<p>“And he’ll make purty work of it,” chortled Vose +“he won’t be able to come within miles of where they +are hidin’.”</p> +<p>When the moody silence had lasted for some time, +the guide was moved to remark in a more conciliatory +spirit:</p> +<p>“There’s one thing that mustn’t be forgot: Colonel +Briggs and his folks won’t make any trouble, but we’re +not done with them Injins.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t there likelihood that Colonel Briggs will divert +them?” asked the parson.</p> +<p>“No; for the redskins can’t be fooled; they’ll know +it wasn’t any of the colonel’s folks that give their chief +his walkin’ papers, but us, and they’re the sort of people +that don’t forget a thing of that kind.”</p> +<p>“I was thinking of hunting up enough wood to +start a fire,” said the captain; “but we don’t need it, +and I suppose it will be safer without it.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me,” observed Ruggles, “that what +we’ve got the most to fear is that the Injins will run off +with our animals: we would be left in a bad fix.”</p> +<p>“We must look out for that; I’ll stand guard the +first part of the night.”</p> +<p>Each was ready to take his turn, and it was arranged +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +that Captain Dawson should act as sentinel until midnight, +when he would awake Vose Adams, who would +assume the duty till morning. Soon afterward, the +three wrapped themselves in their blankets and +stretched out on the ground, near the boulders, where +they speedily sank into deep slumber.</p> +<p>It seemed to Adams that he had slept less than an +hour, when the captain touched him. Rising immediately +to a sitting position, he asked:</p> +<p>“Is it midnight?”</p> +<p>“It’s a half hour past.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you awake me afore? Have you seen +anything wrong?”</p> +<p>“I am not sure; my doubt made me hold on a little +longer, but I learned nothing of account.”</p> +<p>“What was it anyway?”</p> +<p>“It is only that the animals appear to be uneasy, but +it may mean nothing, or it may mean a good deal.”</p> +<p>“It’s more’n likely it means something. Where are +they?”</p> +<p>“Lying down off there to the right, almost near +enough to be seen.”</p> +<p>“They can’t be too close; wal, you can sleep and I’ll +take my turn.”</p> +<p>Thus warned by Captain Dawson, Vose Adams assumed +the duties of sentinel with his senses on the +alert. He had become so accustomed to the delicate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span> +duty, when aware that the slightest slip on his part +meant death, that he was better fitted for the task than +any member of the party, though the experience of +Ruggles and the captain in the army had given them +the ability to awake at any moment fixed upon before +sinking into slumber, and they were sensitive to the +least disturbance while enjoying refreshing rest.</p> +<p>Adams believed what he had remarked more than +once that the little company of mountain Indians would +do their utmost to revenge themselves upon the men +who had taken off their chief. He suspected that +the five were prowling in the neighborhood, looking +for some such opportunity, and that they would strike +a blow before the rising of the morrow’s sun.</p> +<p>Nothing was to be hoped for in the way of a diversion, +created by the intrusion of Colonel Briggs and +his vagrant miners. Not that the Indians were not +eager to strike at any members of the hated race, but +the all-controlling motive was lacking in the case of +the larger party.</p> +<p>Although the moon was in the sky, only a small part +of its light penetrated the cañon. Peering into the +darkness, Vose dimly made out the forms of the four +animals, who, having ceased their cropping of the grass, +had lain down for the remainder of the night. They +were so near that they could not be stampeded or stolen +without the effort being known to the sentinel.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span></div> +<p>It would have been the height of rashness to start a +camp fire, for all the figures within its circle of illumination +must have formed the best of targets for their +stealthy foes. As it was, an enemy would have to steal +from the gloom and approach near enough to touch +them, before striking a blow or firing a shot.</p> +<p>Vose Adams, with his Winchester in his right hand +and held close to his side, took his seat on the ground, +resting his back against the nearest boulder. As a rule, +a sentinel can keep awake for an extended time only +by motion and exercise, such as walking to and fro, +but the trained hunter often takes the risk and there +is little danger of his succumbing, especially after he +has just finished a nap, as was the case with the guide.</p> +<p>Thus seated, with the boulder rising several feet +above his head, Adams’s only reliance was upon his +keenness of hearing and sight.</p> +<p>He had not waited long when he saw proof of what +the captain had told him: the animals were restless, or +rather one of them was. The quadruped thus affected +was Hercules, his own mule, who, although lying down, +twice rose to his feet, shifted his position and lay down +again. Then he sniffed as if the air contained an odor +that was displeasing to him.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t think much of it, if it was one of the +horses,” reflected his master, “but Hercules has brains; +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span> +he knows more’n all the others together, and yet it may +be it ain’t that after all.”</p> +<p>One of the singular facts regarding cattle and other +quadrupeds is that they are sometimes troubled with +disquieting dreams, the same as ourselves. This trifling +cause has resulted many a time in the stampeding +of a drove numbering tens of thousands.</p> +<p>“I’ve knowed Hercules to kick and snort in his +sleep, and one time he come mighty near breakin’ a leg +of mine; howsumever, I don’t think that’s the trouble +with him to-night. I ’spect it’s Injins this time!”</p> +<p>When Captain Dawson lay down to sleep and Vose +Adams assumed his place as sentinel, the moon was +near the zenith, but the contour of the cañon shut out +its beams. While Vose was striving to pierce the +gloom, over and about the four animals, he noted a +flickering tremor against the vast wall which formed +the other side of the cañon. A faint, fleecy veil of +moonlight having been lifted over the mountain crests, +was now flung downward and caught against and suspended +upon the projecting rocks and crags. It was +but a frosty shimmer, but the veil dangled lower and +lower, pendant here and there until the fringe rested +on the bottom of the gorge.</p> +<p>The sleeping miners and horses were wrapped in +deep shadow, but the tremulous, almost invisible veil +still fluttered on the further side of the cañon. By and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span> +by, the shifting moon would whisk it up again and all +would be gloom as before.</p> +<p>The sentinel lay flat on his face and peered over the +prone animals toward the faint light across the cañon, +and, looking thus, he saw the outlines of a man moving +among the horses and mule. A shadow could not have +been more noiseless. Not the faintest rustle betrayed +his footsteps.</p> +<p>“Just what I expected,” thought Vose; “I’ll wager +Hercules against a dozen of the best horses in Sacramento +that that shadder is one of them five Injins we +seen stealin’ along the ledge this mornin’. All the same, +I can’t imagine what the mischief he is driving at.”</p> +<p>The guide’s first impulse was to bring his rifle to his +shoulder and let fly. The intruder was so near that it +was impossible to miss him, but two causes operated +to prevent this summary course: Vose wished first to +learn the business of the intruder, and there was a single +possibility in a hundred that he was neither an Indian +nor an enemy.</p> +<p>The latter doubt could be solved by challenging the +prowler with a threat to fire, if instant satisfaction was +refused, while the firing could be made so promptly +that the stranger would have no chance of whisking +out of reach. Vose decided to wait until he got some +idea of the other’s business.</p> +<p>He could still dimly discern the form, but it was so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span> +obscure that had it not been moving about, he would +not have been able to distinguish it or make sure it was +within his field of vision.</p> +<p>While studying the phantom, the lower part of the +veil of moonlight on the other side of the cañon was +twitched up for a hundred feet. Lingering thus a minute, +it was twitched still higher; then a third flirt +snatched it out of the gorge. The shifting of the moon +had left the cañon shrouded in darkness as before.</p> +<p>Nothing could have attested more strikingly the marvelous +stealth of the intruder than the fact that not one +of the horses was awakened by him. The approach of +the great Geronimo and several of his Apaches was +betrayed under somewhat similar circumstances by the +neighing of a horse that they awakened, apparently +when making no noise at all.</p> +<p>This prowler was a shadow in a world of shadows. +If Hercules detected his presence, the man succeeded +in soothing the fear of the hybrid.</p> +<p>“<i>Halt or I’ll fire!</i>”</p> +<p>Vose Adams’s voice was low, but in the tomb-like +stillness a thunderclap could not have been more distinct. +The hail, however, produced no response. The +angered Vose drew his Winchester to a level, with his +finger on the trigger, but when he ran his eye along +the barrel, he failed to perceive any target. He lowered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span> +the muzzle a few inches and peered over the top. +Nothing was discernible.</p> +<p>“You’re there somewhere and I’ll find you!”</p> +<p>Instead of rising erect, the sentinel advanced in a +crouching posture, so that his head was no higher than +if he were on his hands and knees.</p> +<p>This clever strategy was thrown away. Within five +seconds, he was at the side of Hercules, prepared and +expecting to grapple with his enemy, who, to his exasperation, +continued invisible. Vose did not require +to have the matter explained to him, for he understood +it. Upon being hailed, the intruder instead of throwing +up his hands or starting to run, had also assumed +a stooping position. It was as if he had quietly sunk +below the surface of a sea of darkness through which +he was wading, and swum with noiseless celerity to a +point beyond reach.</p> +<p>Vose was angered but took his defeat philosophically.</p> +<p>“You was too smart for me that time; I never had +it played finer on me, but I guess it’s just as well; you’ve +learned that we’re on the lookout and you can’t sneak +into camp without <i>some</i> risk of having a hole bored inter +you.”</p> +<p>But Vose was not yet through with his nocturnal +experiences. He held his seat for some fifteen or +twenty minutes without seeing or hearing anything to +cause the slightest misgiving. The horses still slept, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +and even the uneasy Hercules appeared to have become +composed and to have made up his mind to slumber until +morning.</p> +<p>“I don’t b’leve there’ll be anything more to disturb +me, onless some wild animal wants his supper–––”</p> +<p>The thought had hardly taken shape, when a shiver +of affright ran through him, though the cause was so +slight that it might have brought a smile, being nothing +more than a pebble rolling down the ravine, up +which the fugitives had passed the day before. The +stone came slowly, loosening several similar obstructions, +which joined with it, the rustling increasing and +continuing until all reached the bottom and lay at rest +a few feet from where he sat.</p> +<p>Nothing could have been easier than for this to occur +in the natural course of things, since hundreds of +such instances were taking place at every hour of the +day and night, but in the tense state of the sentinel’s +nerves, he was inclined to attribute it either to the Indian +that had just visited camp and slunk away, or to +one of his comrades trying to steal a march upon him.</p> +<p>“I ’spose the next thing will be for him to climb over +this boulder behind me and drop onto my head. Howsumever, +if he does, he’ll find me awake.”</p> +<p>Vose sat thus, depending almost wholly upon his +sense of hearing to apprise him of the stealthy approach +of an enemy, while the long silent hours gradually +passed, without bringing additional cause for alarm.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_INSTINCT_OR_REASON' id='CHAPTER_XXV_INSTINCT_OR_REASON'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>INSTINCT OR REASON</h3> +</div> +<p>As the night wore away without bringing any further +evidence of the presence of enemies, the solicitude +of Vose Adams was transferred to the two, who, hardly +a mile distant, were awaiting with equal anxiety the +coming of morning. They and he had agreed upon the +plan to be pursued, but now, with the crisis at hand, +the guide became apprehensive about the final issue.</p> +<p>Suppose the couple should leave their hiding place +to return to the main trail before their pursuers were +out of the way? Mutual discovery was certain with +the dreadful catastrophe that none dreaded more than +he. But it would seem that Lieutenant Russell was too +cautious to run the risk of so fatal a mistake. He would +reconnoitre the ground and keep out of sight until the +coast was clear, but the restless Adams was astir at +the first streakings of light in the cañon.</p> +<p>He first visited the animals. It was possible that the +stealthy prowler of the night before had done them injury, +but, so far as he could ascertain, nothing of the +kind had occurred. Except for what he had seen and +heard during the darkness, he would not have known +that a visitor had been in camp.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span></div> +<p>It was not fully light when the others rose from their +primitive couches. Water was at hand, and after +drinking and ablution, the group sat down to their +morning meal, which disposed of the last remnant furnished +by Vose Adams. While they were eating, he +told of the occurrences of the night and was surprised +that his companions made light of them. To them it +was of less importance than to him.</p> +<p>“So long as they do no more than prowl about the +camp,” remarked Captain Dawson, “we need feel no +concern.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me,” said Brush, “that if the fellow +intended mischief, he would have done it, but he has +left no traces of anything of the kind.”</p> +<p>“Which was because the right kind of chance didn’t +show itself,” said Vose; “if we don’t have a lively fight +before this bus’ness is over, I’m much mistook, but it’s +time we was moving.”</p> +<p>The guide seemed to have forgotten his resentment +of the night before and his friends were too considerate +to refer to it. It took but a short time to make the animals +ready, when the procession started up the gorge, +Vose, as usual, leading, with the captain next, then +Wade Ruggles, while the parson brought up the rear, +that position naturally falling to him.</p> +<p>Men and beasts were refreshed by their rest and +food, and it required but a brief while to reach the top +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span> +of the gorge, where, as will be remembered, it terminated. +It was here that Vose Adams began his fine +work, and he showed no more hesitancy in drawing a +“long bow,” than on the previous night, when pretending +to account for his long absence.</p> +<p>“The trail leads to the right,” he said, with a glance +at the ground, as if to refresh his memory.</p> +<p>His first thrill of misgiving came when he saw the +parson pause and look searchingly at the ground. Had +he possessed one-half the skill of Vose in trailing, he +would have discovered that the guide was misleading +them, but he did not have that cleverness nor did any +other member of the party. The glance of the parson +was perfunctory and his brief pause was to regain his +breath after the short but laborious climb of the steep +slope. Vose was watching him closely and quickly +saw the meaning of his action, for, whatever Brush may +have observed on the ground in front of him, it was +not the faint impressions left on the stones by the fugitives. +Neither the captain nor Ruggles so much as +looked at the earth, accepting the dictum of their guide +without question.</p> +<p>It was not deemed best to mount the animals, because +of the roughness of the ground and the belief +that they were close upon the parties for whom they +were searching. Vose took care to turn so sharply to +the right that they were speedily out of sight of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span> +spot where he had parted from the fugitives. Everything +was going promisingly when Wade Ruggles +startled his companions by the exclamation:</p> +<p>“Helloa! there’s that dog Timon!”</p> +<p>A hundred yards to the left rose a pile of rocks, the +highest of which reached an altitude of two hundred +feet or more. Upon the crest of one of the lower rocks, +which had only a slight height, the immense dog stood +in plain sight. It looked as if he had started to ascend +the rocks, when he discovered the party and paused +to learn their business.</p> +<p>The picture was a striking one. The enormous size +of the brute gave the impression at first that he was a +wolf or some wild animal that had challenged the advance +of the four men. This error would have been +made had not each been so familiar with the creature. +As he stood, his formidable head raised, his forequarters +being slightly higher than the remainder of his +body, his position was diagonal. He was surveying +his acquaintances, who surveyed him in turn with equal +curiosity.</p> +<p>Vose Adams’s heart sank. What was the meaning of +this? As he viewed it, the presence of the dog could +have no other significance than that the lieutenant and +Nellie Dawson were close at hand. Timon was in their +company and would not have strayed far, so that he +had betrayed them. From some cause, which the guide +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span> +could not comprehend, Lieutenant Russell had made +a change of plan and placed himself almost in the path +along which Vose was leading the pursuers, in the +belief that the fugitives were at a safe distance.</p> +<p>The four men looked at the dog for several moments +in silence, when the captain spoke:</p> +<p>“We must be very near them.”</p> +<p>“You’re dead right,” added Ruggles in the same undertone; +“we’ve got ’em cornered sooner than we expected.”</p> +<p>“They can’t go far,” said the parson, “without being +stopped by the rocks, when we shall have them in +the nicest trap that was ever set for any game.”</p> +<p>The reflection of Vose Adams was of a different +nature.</p> +<p>“If they make fools of themselves and upset all my +plans, what can I do to help ’em? Why didn’t they +stay where they promised to stay, and why didn’t they +kill that blamed dog afore he played this trick on ’em?”</p> +<p>Timon stood for two or three minutes so immovable +that he suggested a stone image of himself, carved out +of the rock on which he was perched. Then he emitted +a single husky bark and leaped lightly down from +where he had been standing. It was no more than +a dozen feet, and he alighted as gracefully as a panther. +He trotted part way to the horsemen, who were +closely watching his movements, stopped, barked again +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span> +and wheeling, trotted forward over precisely the course +Vose Adams was taking when checked by the appearance +of the canine.</p> +<p>The men looked at one another in astonishment. The +action of the dog was unaccountable, but Captain Dawson’s +explanation sounded reasonable.</p> +<p>“That shows we are on the right track and he has +come to guide us to where they are awaiting him.”</p> +<p>There could be no doubt of it. The actions of the +brute said as plainly as so many words: “Come with +me and I will take you straight to the people you want +to see.”</p> +<p>Instead of following Timon at once, the party kept +watch of him. He trotted a dozen steps and then +paused and looked back. Observing that he was not +understood, he emitted several more barks, took a +couple of steps and then repeated the performance. His +object was so evident that Captain Dawson said:</p> +<p>“That’s as plain as the nose on your face; the animal +is worth a dozen guides like you, Vose.”</p> +<p>“Then why don’t you foller him?” sulkily asked +the latter.</p> +<p>“That’s what we shall do; come on.”</p> +<p>Observing that the captain left his horse standing, +the parson inquired the reason.</p> +<p>“They are of no use to us and will be only a bother; +leave them here until we need them; I will follow the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span> +dog and you can take what order you choose, but,” he +added with unmistakable earnestness, “every one of +you must keep in the background till I’m through.”</p> +<p>Timon held his motionless position until the four +men had taken several steps toward him and there could +be no error as to their intention. Vose Adams observed +that he was following, without a hair’s variation, +the course he had in mind.</p> +<p>“It serves ’em right,” was his angry reflection; +“when the leftenant spoke ’bout hunting up a new +trail through the mountains, I oughter knowed he +hain’t no sense and was sure to make a mess of things. +Now’s he gone and sneaked off where these folks will +stub their toes agin him; I’m ’sprised that the Queen +didn’t hammer a little sense into his head.”</p> +<p>The guide was in a torture of apprehension. The +impending outcome was likely to betray the deception +he had used, but it was not for that he cared. There +could be no mistaking the deadly mood of Captain +Dawson and the equally intense hatred of Ruggles and +Brush. A meeting with Lieutenant Russell made a +frightful tragedy inevitable, and no one could be more +vividly aware of the fact than the young officer himself, +for Vose had impressed it upon him, but the guide +in his anguish of spirit, saw no possible escape from it. +He stolidly followed, striving to brace himself for +what must soon come.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span></div> +<p>Meanwhile, the strange leadership continued. Timon +seemed to be impatient, for occasionally he broke into +a trot, abruptly pausing and looking back, as if to urge +his followers to use more haste. Since they did not +do so, he checked himself, when about to pass beyond +sight and waited for them to draw near. He led them +around boulders and masses of rocks, over ridges, down +declivities, across one small stream, through a ravine +and again among the precipitous piles of stone, until +even the hardy men were well nigh exhausted. They +had traveled fully a mile over a route that was of the +most trying nature.</p> +<p>It was about this time that an extraordinary suspicion +began forming in the mind of Vose Adams. He +hardly dared give credence to it, but it took greater +hold upon him with every few rods of advance. Nothing +in the world would have induced him to make +known his suspicion, but it continued to grow.</p> +<p>Suddenly Captain Dawson stopped. As he looked +around his face was agitated.</p> +<p>“Boys,” said he, “there’s something infernally +strange about this.”</p> +<p>Vose Adams saw that his own suspicion had entered +the mind of their leader, but the countenance of the +guide was as blank as that of a child.</p> +<p>“It’s the worst tramp I ever had,” remarked the parson, +removing his hat and mopping his forehead.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span></div> +<p>“If there’s any harder work,” added Ruggles, +“count me out.”</p> +<p>Captain Dawson looked angrily at Vose.</p> +<p>“Do you know the meaning of this?”</p> +<p>Vose shook his head and prevaricated still further by +adding:</p> +<p>“Nor what you’re driving at either.”</p> +<p>“That dog has misled us; instead of conducting us +to the couple he has taken us away from them.”</p> +<p>It was true and every one of the four knew it. The +suspicion of the guide had become certainty. Was it +instinct or reason that controlled the animal? Who +shall draw the line in explaining many of the actions +of the brute creation?</p> +<p>Vose Adams was silent a moment and then emitted +a low whistle.</p> +<p>“Hang me, if I don’t b’leve you’re right, captain. +I’ve been told that that dog knowed more than a good +many folks and there ain’t no doubt of it now.”</p> +<p>The disgusted parson exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Why didn’t one of us think of that? The idea of +all four being fooled by a dog!”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t have been so bad if there had been two +dogs,” said Ruggles, who saw the grim humor of the +thing, “but it is tough to have our eyes shet by only +one.”</p> +<p>It was impossible for Vose Adams wholly to restrain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span> +all evidence of his pleasure. When in the depths of +despair, he was awakened to the fact that the canine +had performed one of the most brilliant exploits conceivable. +He could not help smiling. The captain +was in an ugly mood and in a threatening voice asked:</p> +<p>“Did you have anything to do with this?”</p> +<p>“Certainly; me and Timon fixed up the thing afore +he left Dead Man’s Gulch; it took us a good while; the +dog didn’t think it would work, but I stuck to it and +finally he promised to have a try at it; certainly we +fixed it up atween us.”</p> +<p>The guide did a clever thing in thus turning the fantastic +belief of the captain into ridicule. Had he protested, +he might have added to the suspicion against +himself. It was further in his favor that it was known +he had never had much to do with Timon. As already +related, the brute had few friends among the miners +and Vose Adams never sought his acquaintance.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, it was impossible to brush out of sight +one significant fact,––the long absence of Adams the +day before. But for the last occurrence, nothing would +have been thought of the former, but it was clear that +Captain Dawson had begun to entertain doubts of the +loyalty of his guide.</p> +<p>“He’ll never repeat his trick anyway,” exclaimed the +officer, facing about and bringing his rifle to his shoulder. +But his intention of shooting Timon was frustrated, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span> +for the brute was nowhere in sight. Unreasonable +as it might sound, it looked as if he suspected how +things would turn out and took the occasion to place +himself beyond danger from the indignant men.</p> +<p>“In the army we shoot spies and traitors,” remarked +the captain, so angered by his repeated disappointments +that he could not govern his feelings. In giving expression +to the remark, the officer made a serious mistake, +which he saw the moment the words left his lips. He +was suspicious of Vose Adams, but he should have +concealed all evidence of it, until the proof appeared. +When that took place, he would shoot the man with +no more hesitation that he would have shot the dog. +But he had now put Vose on his guard and the difficulty +of detecting him was increased tenfold.</p> +<p>As if to obliterate the memory of his words, the captain +said in the most matter of fact tone he could assume:</p> +<p>“The mistake we made has taken us from the right +spot; they must have been near the rocks where Timon +showed himself.”</p> +<p>“No doubt,” said the parson, “and were watching +us.”</p> +<p>“The one thing to do is to retrace our steps; perhaps +the two may be fools enough,” bitterly added the +captain, “to wait for us, since that seems to be the only +way by which we shall ever come up with them.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></div> +<p>A single short bark startled them. The captain +wheeled like a flash with his gun at his shoulder. But +Timon was too cunning to show himself. It is not improbable +that he meant the expression for a note of +triumph over his inimitable exploit, while such a wonderful +dog was too wise to run any risk of punishment +from his indignant victims.</p> +<p>The hunter is sustained against fatigue by the excitement +of the chase; and, despite the severe labor of +following the canine guide, all four men stood it far +better than the return to the spot where the pursuit began. +Angered, chagrined and in desperate mood, even +the grim leader was forced occasionally to stop and rest. +Nearly two hours passed before they descried the familiar +pile of rocks in their front.</p> +<p>“That’s the spot,” he said, “but what good can it +do us? It’s a wonder if they have not run off with our +horses; it would be a fitting climax to this folly.”</p> +<p>It was the secret wish of Adams, from the moment +of discovering the cleverness of Timon, that this very +thing should be done. If Lieutenant Russell took such +a precaution, it could not fail to be effective. Returning +to the main trail after his pursuers were out of the +way, he would have an open path through the mountains +to Sacramento. If the lameness of Nellie’s pony +continued, her saddle could be transferred to one of +the other horses, and, leading or driving the remainder +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span> +of the animals, the four men would soon find their task +a hopeless one.</p> +<p>But the young officer was restrained from such action +by a certain chivalry that governed all his actions. +He could not consent to take so unfair an advantage of +an enemy, even though the fate of one dearer than his +own life was at stake. And yet it must be confessed +that the lieutenant drew it very fine. His course did +not win the respect of his enemies, who were inclined +to attribute it to stupidity, rather than courtesy.</p> +<p>But no time was to be lost in deciding their line of +action.</p> +<p>“I think we’d better make a hunt among them +rocks,” suggested Wade Ruggles.</p> +<p>The others studied them with as much interest as if +it were the first time they had been seen. If the couple +had taken refuge among the caverns and crevices of +this immense pile of stone, they must have left their +animals on the ground below where they could be readily +discovered.</p> +<p>“We may as well have a look,” remarked the captain; +“what do you think, Vose?”</p> +<p>“I don’t think anything; don’t ask me any questions.”</p> +<p>He never looked more angry. He had not forgotten +the slur of the captain and had spirit enough to resent +it. Dawson was too proud to apologize and he could +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span> +not do so, when his suspicion of the fellow’s loyalty was +as strong as ever. On the contrary, having made his +blunder, the officer drove the arrow home.</p> +<p>“I am sorry you didn’t take that resolution in the +first place; it would have been better for all of us, +though not so good for those we are looking for.”</p> +<p>The captain and Ruggles now turned to the right, +while the other two took the opposite direction. They +were thus enabled, after more hard work, practically to +pass around the mass of rocks, returning to their starting +point, without having discovered any traces of man, +woman or their animals. On the journey, Adams and +the parson exchanged few words, but it was different +with the other couple.</p> +<p>“What do you think of his long absence yesterday?” +asked the captain.</p> +<p>“It has a bad look,––worse than I thought when he +come back.”</p> +<p>“Why so?”</p> +<p>“I take it with the action of that dog. You didn’t +fail to notice that Timon took us along the exact route +that Vose was leadin’ us over and we found out that +it was the wrong one.”</p> +<p>“And you believe he purposely misled us?”</p> +<p>“It’s almost sartin.”</p> +<p>“Suppose it <i>was</i> certain, Wade?”</p> +<p>“I’d shoot him quicker’n lightning.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span></div> +<p>“So would I.”</p> +<p>“But you see we can’t be sartin just yit; if Vose is +in that kind of bus’ness, he’ll give himself away purty +soon.”</p> +<p>“I agree with you and we’ll watch him.”</p> +<p>Thus was the momentous bargain made.</p> +<p>When the four came together once more, the parson +remarked:</p> +<p>“It’s my belief that after we were well out of the +way, the two went down the gorge to the main trail +and are now making haste to Sacramento.”</p> +<p>The exact line of action that had been agreed upon! +Vose Adams was firmly convinced that this was the +very thing that had taken place and the utmost he could +do was to prevent the horsemen from acting on that +theory until the fugitives were given opportunity to +pass beyond reach.</p> +<p>Except for the words of Captain Dawson, the guide +would have striven to delay the pursuit, but he dared +not attempt it after the warning. Ignoring the captain, +he said to Felix Brush:</p> +<p>“It’s more’n likely you’re right, parson; that would +have been the most nat’ral thing for them to do and it’s +no use of our standing here and talking, when every +minute counts.”</p> +<p>“We can quickly learn the truth; it isn’t far to the +gorge, where they must have left traces; leave the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +horses here, for we can soon return for them if it proves +necessary.”</p> +<p>Forgetting their fatigue, the four walked back over +their own trail. The forenoon was well advanced, and, +by this time, the fugitives were probably a good way +off. Adams was relieved because of this action, for it +promised more delay.</p> +<p>Reaching the beginning of the gorge, all began an +examination of the ground, for the imprints of the +horses’ feet were plainly seen. To the amazement of +every one, each hoof pointed upward, that is away from +the cañon. There was no evidence that any quadruped +had descended the slope. All had gone up. Vose Adams +was in despair.</p> +<p>“They have let their only chance go by,” he bitterly +reflected; “it’s too late now to save them!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_AT_BAY' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_AT_BAY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>AT BAY</h3> +</div> +<p>Lieutenant Russell held a long consultation with +Nellie Dawson, after the departure of Vose Adams. +His first intention had been to press their flight with +all possible vigor, and, as will be recalled, Adams carried +away that belief with him.</p> +<p>“My view of matters has undergone a change,” he +said after a time to his companion, who looked up in +his face for an explanation.</p> +<p>“Instead of waiting until we reach Sacramento for +a meeting with your father, I believe it will be much +better to have it as soon as possible.”</p> +<p>“Why?” she asked, though curious to say, she had +been wavering for some time in her belief.</p> +<p>“It will add to rather than lessen his anger, if he is +obliged to follow us that far, and the fact that he is +in a city instead of the mountains will not decrease his +determination to do me injury.”</p> +<p>“What about those who are with him?”</p> +<p>“Your father is the only one to be considered. My +proposal is that we wait here till to-morrow morning +until they come up; what is your opinion?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span></div> +<p>“I believe you are right; let us do so; I don’t think +father will cast me off when I go to him.”</p> +<p>The plan was carried out, though the young man felt +more misgiving than his companion suspected. He +remained on guard a part of the night, sharing the duty +with Timon, whose almost human intelligence made +him as reliable as a trained scout himself.</p> +<p>Straight to the spot came the pursuers soon after +daylight, when the horses were saddled and bridled. +Nellie was in a state of feverish expectancy. When she +caught sight of her father, leading the others, she joyfully +uttered his name and ran toward him with outstretched +arms.</p> +<p>“Father, my own father, are you not glad to see +your Nellie?”</p> +<p>Still holding his Winchester half-raised, he glanced +sternly at her and replied:</p> +<p>“Come no nearer; you are no daughter of mine!”</p> +<p>She stopped as if shot, and with hands still outstretched +stood motionless, with her eyes fixed yearningly +upon him. She was like a marble statue, without +the breath of life in her body. All were silent. Even +Timon looked from one to another without moving. +The whole thing was beyond his comprehension.</p> +<p>Then the dreadful truth seemed to force itself upon +the consciousness of the girl, who staggered backward +to the nearest boulder, upon which she sank and covered +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span> +her face with her hands. She did not weep, for +her grief was too deep.</p> +<p>And who shall picture the sorrow that wrenched the +heart strings of the parent? There was a strange look +on his face and his massive frame trembled. But he +quickly recovered his self-poise, and looking away from +his child, fixed his eyes upon Lieutenant Russell.</p> +<p>“It is with <i>you</i> that I have to settle.”</p> +<p>“I am ready.”</p> +<p>The young officer was standing beside his pony, with +one arm resting on the saddle, across which his rifle +was supported, while the other hand lay idly on his +hip, and his body was borne upon one foot. His pose +was one of negligence, as if he and his animal had taken +position before the camera, and the world contained no +such thing as hatred and enmity. He looked calmly +into the angered countenance, while he waited for the +next words of the man who was impatient to send a +bullet through his heart.</p> +<p>Wade Ruggles and Felix Brush would have been +glad of the privilege of doing this, but they felt that +for the time they were out of it. The right of calling +Lieutenant Russell to account lay with the father of +Nellie. They had nothing to do or say until that tragedy +was ended, and they stood apart, silent, grim and +watchful of everything.</p> +<p>The coolness of the young man disconcerted the captain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span> +for the moment. Feeling it unnecessary to hold +his weapon, he lowered the point, but, never once removing +his eyes from the face of the other, said:</p> +<p>“I will give you the same chance as myself for your +life; though you do not deserve to live, it shall never be +said I took any advantage over you. Each of us has a +revolver and knows how to use it; you may pace off +the distance for yourself, but make it short.”</p> +<p>“Captain, I decline to fight you,” replied Lieutenant +Russell, without a change of pose and in his usual voice.</p> +<p>“Why?” demanded the other.</p> +<p>“You have saved my life on the battle field; we have +been comrades; we have drank from the same canteen; +shoot me if you wish; I will keep the position I now +hold and you may stand where you are; you have your +Winchester in your hands; you have but to raise it and +it will be all over in a twinkling, but nothing that you +can say or do will induce me to harm one of your gray +hairs.”</p> +<p>This reply was unexpected to all, but it served if possible +to intensify the wrath of Captain Dawson. He +shook with tempestuous rage, and it was several seconds +before he could command his voice. Ruggles, +Brush and Adams did not stir or whisper a word to one +another. The white-faced Nellie remained seated on +the boulder, but she lowered her hands and stared at +the two, as if she could not comprehend it all. Once +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span> +she made a motion to rise, but sank back and stared +with a fixidity of gaze that went to the hearts of the +three spectators.</p> +<p>“You are a sneaking scoundrel to use those words,” +said Captain Dawson, when able to command his voice; +“all the past is wiped out except that of the last two +days; I shall shoot you for stealing my child from me.”</p> +<p>The lieutenant looked calmly into the countenance +of the man, and, lowering his tones almost to a whisper, +that was perfectly audible to all, replied:</p> +<p>“I am at your disposal.”</p> +<p>From the moment Captain Dawson learned of the +flight of his child, he had been eager for but one thing,––the +opportunity to draw bead on the miscreant, without +giving him an instant to prepare for death. That +opportunity was his but he hesitated. Something that +he could not explain, but which incensed him, held his +hand motionless.</p> +<p>But perhaps the end would have been the same, when +he rallied from the momentary struggle, had not his +daughter awakened from the daze that had held her +mute and motionless. Like Pocahontas, she sprang +forward, with arms again outstretched, and with a +faint shriek, flung them about the form of her lover.</p> +<p>“Shoot father, if you will, but you shall kill me +too!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span></div> +<p>Felix Brush shivered and turning away his head, +muttered in a broken voice:</p> +<p>“My God, Wade! I can’t stand this!”</p> +<p>Ruggles attempted to reply, but the words choked in +his throat. Still he and Adams kept their eyes upon +the three before them. Ruggles was on the point of interfering +when Nellie Dawson averted the necessity.</p> +<p>Lieutenant Russell was disconcerted. His lip quivered, +and, with infinite tenderness, he sought to loosen +the arms that entwined him, but she would not permit +it.</p> +<p>“No, no, no! He shall not part us! Let him slay us +both! Do not repulse me! I will die with you!”</p> +<p>The situation of Captain Dawson was awful. He +was scarcely himself. The dainty form of his child +could not fully shield the athletic figure of Lieutenant +Russell, strive as much as she might, and the opening +for the threatened shot was as clear as ever. Whether +he would have persisted in his intention can never be +known, for at that juncture the startling incidents were +succeeded by one still more startling and unexpected.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_NO_BRAVER_DEED_EVER_WAS_DONE' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_NO_BRAVER_DEED_EVER_WAS_DONE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>NO BRAVER DEED EVER WAS DONE</h3> +</div> +<p>The hearts of two of the party were wrung as never +before. Wade Ruggles and Felix Brush saw with +noonday clearness the dreadful mistake they had made +in the past in hoping to win the heart of the maiden +who had declared that if her beloved was to die she +would die with him. It was contrary to nature and the +laws of God, and it was characteristic of each that he +felt a thrill of gratitude over the belief that no person +suspected his secret. Both would have died rather than +allow it ever to become known.</p> +<p>With this awakening came a transformation of feeling +toward the couple. They sympathized with Lieutenant +Russell, but more than all, they pitied her whose +soul was distraught with grief. They had never before +seen her in the agony of distress and neither could stand +it.</p> +<p>“Brush,” whispered Ruggles, “this must stop.”</p> +<p>“<i>Hold!</i>” called Brush in a loud voice, striding commandingly +forward with his arm upraised; “I have +something to say!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span></div> +<p>There was a majesty and an impressiveness of mien +like that of the Hebrew prophet who hushed the tempest. +Captain Dawson, without moving body or limb, +turned and glared at the intruder; Ruggles kept his position; +Nellie Dawson, with arms still clasping the neck +of her betrothed, looked over her shoulder at her old +friend; Lieutenant Russell reached up so as to hold the +wrists of the girl, while still retaining his grip upon +his rifle and fixed his eyes upon the tall, gaunt figure +that halted between him and Captain Dawson and a +little to one side of him.</p> +<p>“Lieutenant Frederic Russell, do you love Nellie +Dawson?” was the astounding question that fell from +the lips of Brush.</p> +<p>“Aye, more than my life,” was the prompt response.</p> +<p>“And you have started for Sacramento with the +purpose of making her your wife?”</p> +<p>“That was my resolve with the help of heaven.”</p> +<p>“And, Nellie, you agreed to this?”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes; we shall not be parted in life or death.”</p> +<p>“Such being your feelings,” continued Felix Brush, +in the same loud, clear tones, “I pronounce you man +and wife, and whom God hath joined together let not +man put asunder!”</p> +<p>It was a thunderclap. No one moved or spoke for +a full minute. Felix Brush was the only one who +seemed to retain command of his senses. Stepping forward, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span> +with a strange smile on his seamed countenance, +he extended his hand to the groom.</p> +<p>“Allow me to congratulate you, lieutenant; and, +Nellie, I don’t think you will deny me my fee.”</p> +<p>With which he bent over and tenderly kissed her.</p> +<p>“O, Mr. Brush, are we really married?” she asked +in a faint, wild voice.</p> +<p>“As legally as if it were done by the archbishop of +Canterbury and if––”</p> +<p>But he got no further, for her arms were transferred +from the neck of her husband to those of the parson, +whom she smothered with her caresses.</p> +<p>“Bless your heart! You are the nicest, best, sweetest, +loveliest man that ever lived,––excepting Fred and +father––”</p> +<p>“And <i>me</i>,” added Wade Ruggles, stepping forward.</p> +<p>“Yes, and you, you great big angel,” she replied, bestowing +an equally warm embrace upon him.</p> +<p>The two rugged fellows had won the greatest victory +that can be achieved by man, for they had conquered +themselves. When the great light broke in upon their +consciousness, each resolved to let the dead past bury +its dead and to face the future like the manly heroes +they were.</p> +<p>And no braver deed ever was done.</p> +<p>Poor Captain Dawson! For a time he believed he +was dreaming. Then, when he grasped the meaning +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span> +of it all, his Winchester dropped from his nerveless +grasp and he staggered and would have fallen, had not +Lieutenant Russell leaped forward and caught him in +his arms. He helped him to the boulder from which +Nellie had risen and then he collapsed utterly. The +soldier who had faced unmoved the hell blast of battle +had fainted for the first time in his life.</p> +<p>Nellie ran to the brook a few paces away, and catching +some of the water in the hollow of her hand darted +back and flung it into his face.</p> +<p>“There, dear father; it is all right; rouse yourself; +O, Mr. Brush, suppose he is dead!” she exclaimed, +turning terrifiedly toward him.</p> +<p>“He is as likely to die as you are, and you don’t look +just now as if you mean to put on wings and fly away.”</p> +<p>In a few minutes the veteran revived and looked confusedly +around him. He seemed unable to comprehend +what it all meant and his gaze wandered in a dazed way +from one countenance to another without speaking. +Nellie was still caressing him, while Lieutenant Russell +stood back a couple of steps, looking pityingly into the +face of the man who had suffered so much.</p> +<p>Felix Brush was the hero of the occasion. Turning +to the group, he said:</p> +<p>“Leftenant, you and Nellie and Ruggles and Vose +move off for a short distance and leave him with me for +a little while.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span></div> +<p>Understanding his purpose the three withdrew, and +the two men were left alone. The captain instantly +roused himself.</p> +<p>“What does all this mean, Brush?”</p> +<p>“It means that you and Ruggles and I have been the +three infernalist fools that ever pretended to have +sense.”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“How? In every way conceivable. Wade and I, +as we told you, saw that those two were in love with +each other; instead of persuading you to consent, we +have helped you to prevent it. I must say, captain, that +though Wade and I played the idiot, I think the championship +belongs to you.”</p> +<p>“I begin to suspect it.”</p> +<p>“There’s no doubt of it.”</p> +<p>“But, you see, parson, I had never thought of anything +like this.”</p> +<p>“Which goes to prove the truth of what I have just +said. If you hadn’t been blind you would have seen it.”</p> +<p>“I got the belief into my head that his intentions +were not honorable toward Nellie.”</p> +<p>“You never made a greater mistake; Lieutenant +Russell is the soul of honor; heaven intended him for +the husband of Nellie, and we were flying in the face of +Providence when we tried to prevent it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span></div> +<p>“I suppose it is all right; but how is it possible for +a man to make such a consummate ass of himself?”</p> +<p>“You have just given a demonstration of how it is +done, Wade and I adding material help in the demonstration.”</p> +<p>The captain looked to the ground in deep thought. +When he raised his eyes there was an odd twinkle in +them.</p> +<p>“I say, parson, wasn’t that a rather cheeky performance +of yours, when you made them man and wife?”</p> +<p>“The circumstances warranted it. There’s no saying +what might have happened, if it had been deferred +for only a few minutes.”</p> +<p>“True,” replied the veteran thoughtfully; “it begins +to look as if the hand of Providence was in it.”</p> +<p>“It is in everything that occurs in this life. It was +in your coming to New Constantinople; in the blessed +influence of your child upon that barbarous community; +in the impulse that led you to bring Lieutenant Russell +to us, and now comes the crowning Providence of all +in their marriage.”</p> +<p>“Parson, you ain’t such a poor preacher after all.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps I can preach a little, but my practice has +been away off, though I hope to get back one of these +days to where I was, but––”</p> +<p>He suddenly turned and beckoned to his friends to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span> +join them. They came smilingly forward, for they suspected +what it meant.</p> +<p>Captain Dawson rose to his feet, and, without speaking +extended his single arm toward his child. With +a glad cry she flew into his embrace and pillowed her +head on his breast. No one spoke, but there was not a +dry eye among the spectators, while the silent embrace +lasted.</p> +<p>Finally the daughter was released and then the captain +reached his hand toward his son-in-law, who +eagerly stepped forward and grasped it.</p> +<p>“Yes, lieutenant, we have drunk from the same canteen,” +he said, “and now let’s all go home.”</p> +<p>And it was accordingly so done.</p> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>THE END</p> + +<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: ppg0814 --> +<!-- timestamp: Sat Aug 15 02:31:00 -0600 2009 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Waif of the Mountains, by Edward S. 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Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Waif of the Mountains + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Release Date: August 15, 2009 [EBook #29693] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + +[Illustration: SHE STARED BEWILDERED INTO THE SHAGGY FACES AROUND +HER.--PAGE 21.] + + + + +A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS + +BY + +EDWARD S. ELLIS + +AUTHOR OF "UP THE TAPAJOS," "FROM THE THROTTLE TO THE PRESIDENT'S CHAIR," +"THE LAND OF WONDERS," ETC. + +CHICAGO + +GEO. M. HILL CO. + +PUBLISHERS + + + + +COPYRIGHT, 1900, + +BY + +THE MERSHON COMPANY + + + + +A WAIF OF THE MOUNTAINS + +CHAPTER I + +AT NEW CONSTANTINOPLE + + +IT had been snowing hard for twenty-four hours at Dead Man's Gulch. +Beginning with a few feathery particles, they had steadily increased +in number until the biting air was filled with billions of snowflakes, +which whirled and eddied in the gale that howled through the gorges +and canyons of the Sierras. It was still snowing with no sign of +cessation, and the blizzard blanketed the earth to the depth of +several feet, filling up the treacherous hollows, caverns and abysses +and making travel almost impossible for man or animal. + +The shanties of the miners in Dead Man's Gulch were just eleven in +number. They were strung along the eastern side of the gorge and at an +altitude of two or three hundred feet from the bed of the pass or +canyon. The site protruded in the form of a table-land, offering a +secure foundation for the structures, which were thus elevated +sufficiently to be beyond reach of the terrific torrents that +sometimes rushed through the ravine during the melting of the snow in +the spring, or after one of those fierce cloud-bursts that give +scarcely a minute's warning of their coming. + +The diggings were in the mountain side at varying distances. The +success in mining had been only moderate, although several promising +finds raised hopes. The population numbered precisely thirty men, +representing all quarters of the Union, while five came from Europe. +The majority were shaggy, bronzed adventurers, the variety being +almost as great as the numbers. Some had been clerks, several were +college graduates, a number were the sons of wealthy parents, and one +was a full-fledged parson, while there was a certain percentage who +had left their homes to escape the grip of the offended law. + +With that yearning for picturesqueness which is a peculiar trait of +Americans, the miners felt that when their settlement had attained the +dignity of nearly a dozen dwellings, it was entitled to an appropriate +name. The gorge, which seemed to have been gouged out of the solid +mass of boulders and rocks, when the mountains were split apart in the +remote past, was known from the first by the title already given, +which also clung to the diggings themselves. + +The single saloon presided over by Max Ortigies, was the Heavenly +Bower,--so _that_ point was settled, but when it came to naming the +settlement itself, the difficulties were so numerous that days and +weeks passed without an agreement being reached. No matter how +striking and expressive the title offered by one man, the majority +promptly protested. It was too sulphurous, or too insipid or it lacked +in that nebulous characteristic which may be defined as true +Americanism. It looked as if the problem would never be solved, when +Landlord Ortigies, taking the bull by the horns, appointed a committee +of three to select a name, the others pledging themselves to accept +whatever the committee submitted. + +But the mischief was to pay when on the night of the blizzard the +committee met at the Heavenly Bower to make their report. The chairman +insisted upon "E Pluribus Unum," the second member's favorite was +"Murderer's Holler," while the third would not listen to anything +except "Wolf Eye," and each was immovably set in his convictions. + +Budge Isham was not a member of the committee, but he was known as a +college graduate. From his seat on an overturned box at the rear of +the room, where he was smoking a pipe, he asked troublesome questions +and succeeded in arraying the committeemen so fiercely against one +another that each was eager to vote, in the event of failing to carry +his own point, in favor of any name objectionable to the rest. + +The chairman as stated favored the patriotic name "E Pluribus Unum," +and boldly announced the fact. + +"It has a lofty sound," blandly remarked Isham; "will the chairman be +good enough to translate it for us? In other words, what does 'E +Pluribus Unum' mean?" + +"Why," replied the chairman with scorn in his manner; "everybody +oughter know it means, 'Hurrah for the red, white and blue.'" + +"Thank you," returned Isham, puffing at his pipe. + +Vose Adams, the second committeeman, felt it his duty to explain his +position. + +"The trouble with that outlandish name is in the fust place that it +has three words and consequently it's too much to manage. Whoever +heard of a town with three handles to its name? Then it's foreign. +When I was in college (several disrespectful sniffs which caused the +speaker to stop and glare around in quest of the offenders); I say +when I was in college and studying Greek and Chinese and Russian, I +larned that that name was made up of all three of them languages. I +b'leve in America for the Americans, and if we can't find a name +that's in the American language, why let's wait till we can." + +This sentiment was delivered with such dramatic force that several of +the miners nodded their heads in approval. It was an appeal to the +patriotic side of their nature--which was quick to respond. + +"Mr. Chairman," said Budge Isham, addressing the landlord, who, by +general consent, was the presiding officer at these disputations, and +who like the others failed to see the quiet amusement the educated man +was extracting, "if it is agreeable to Mr. Adams, to whose eloquent +speech we have listened with much edification, I would like him to +give us his reasons for calling our handsome town 'Murderers' +Hollow.'" + +The gentleman appealed to rose to his feet. Turning toward the man who +had called upon him, he gave him a look which ought to have made him +sink to the floor with mortification, preliminary to saying with +polished irony: + +"If the gentleman had paid attention as he oughter, he would have +obsarved that I said 'Murderer's Holler,' not 'Murderers' _Hollow_.' I +would advise him not to forget that he ain't the only man in this +place that has received a college eddycation. Now as to the name: it +proclaims our stern virtue and love for law." + +The orator paused, but the wondering expression of the bronzed +faces turned toward him showed that he would have to descend to +particulars. + +"When violators of the law hear that name, what does it say to them? +It says that if any murderer shows his face in this place, he will +receive such rough handling that he will have to holler 'enough,' and +will be glad to get out--I don't see what there is to laugh at!" +exclaimed Vose angrily, looking threateningly around again with his +fists clenched and his gaze fixed specially upon the grinning Budge +Isham. + +"There's some sense in what Vose says, which ain't often the case," +remarked Ike Hoe, the other member of the committee, "but the trouble +will be that when folks hear of the name, they won't think to give it +the meanin' that he gives it. They'll conclude that this place is the +home of murderers, and, if it keeps on, bime by of hoss thieves. If it +warn't for that danger, I might go in for backing up Vose with his +name, but as it stands it won't do." + +The argument of Ike had produced its effect. There was little sympathy +in the first place for the title, and that little was destroyed by the +words of Ike, who proceeded to plead for his own choice. + +"Now as to 'Wolf Eye.' In the first place, it is short and easy to +say. There ain't any slur in the name, that might offend a new comer, +who would think the 'Murderer's Holler' contained ungentlemanly +allusions to his past. It is warning, too, that the place has got an +eye on everybody and has teeth as sharp as a wolf. Then there is +poetry in the name. Gentlemen," added Ike in a burst of enthusiasm, +"we oughter go in for poetry. How can any one live in such a glorious +country as this with the towering kenyons around him, with the +mountains thousands of feet deep, with the grand sun kissin' the +western tips in the morning and sinking to rest at night in the +east,--with the snow storms in summer and the blazing heat in +winter--with the glo----" + +"Hold on! hold on!" called Budge Isham, rising solemnly to his feet, +with hands uplifted in protest; "if Ike doesn't stop, he'll have us +all standing on our heads. There's a brand of liquor down in +Sacramento called 'Wolf Eye;' I don't make any charges, gentlemen, +against my friend Ike, but you can draw your inferences. Wolf Eye +won't do." + +A general laugh greeted this sally, seeing which the indignant Ike +turned the tables upon Budge with an admirable piece of sarcasm. + +"Seeing as how all of us together don't know 'nough to git up a name +that will suit, I move that the college eddycated gentleman supplies +the brains and does it himself." + +The crushing irony of this remark was spoiled by Budge accepting it in +all seriousness. He bowed his head and gracefully thanked the +satirical Vose. + +"I shall be very glad to do so. The committee meant well enough, but +the trouble was that there were too many fools on it----" + +At this point Wade Ruggles sprang to his feet, with the fierce +question: + +"Does the gentleman refer to _me_?" + +His hand was at his hip on the butt of his revolver and matters +looked squally, but the tactful Budge quelled the rising storm with +Chesterfieldian grace. Waving his hand and bowing, he said: + +"I did not intend the remotest reference to you." + +Vose Adams came up promptly. + +"Then it's _me_ and I'm ready to make any man eat his words." + +"My good friend is mistaken; nothing could induce me to apply such a +term to him; I hold him in too high esteem." + +Since this left Ike Hoe as the only remaining member, he began to show +signs of explosion, perceiving which the incomprehensible Budge +proceeded to mollify him. + +"And Ike knows that I would be the last person in the world to slur a +gentleman from whom I as well as the others have received so much +instruction." + +Ike was mystified. He looked at the other members of the committee and +then into the faces of the group. He couldn't make it out. + +"If it's all the same, Mr. Chairman, since the gentleman has said +there was too many fools on the committee, and has just explained that +he didn't mean any one of us three, I'll be obliged if he'll explain +who in thunder he did mean." + +This sounded unanswerable, but the cunning Budge was equal to the +occasion. + +"It gives me pleasure to answer the question of the gentleman: my +remark was made in a Pickwickian sense." + +He leaned forward with a beaming smile, as if his explanation left +nothing to be added. No one understood to what he referred, but all +were too proud to admit the fact. There was a general nodding of +heads, and Ike, with the manner of a man who magnanimously accepts the +humble apology of him whom he has worsted, leaned back on his stool +and audibly remarked: + +"That makes it all right." + +Budge Isham resumed his seat, when he was reminded that he was +expected to submit a name for the new settlement. + +"I beg pardon," he said, rising again, "it is a fact known to this +highly intelligent assemblage, that every city of prominence in Europe +has from one to forty namesakes in this country. There is one +exception, however; doubtless all know to what city I refer." + +In response to his inquiring looks, the group tried to appear as if +the name was familiar to them, but no one spoke. + +"It is hardly necessary for me to mention the city, but I may say it +is Constantinople." + +A contemptuous sniff greeted this proposal. + +"That's the worst yet," said Wade Ruggles, drawing a match along the +thigh of his trousers to relight his pipe, which had gone out during +the excitement; "the man that insults this party with such a +proposition, ought to be run out of the place." + +"What's the matter with it?" demanded Budge. + +"It's too long in the fust place," commented Ike Hoe; "it bothers a +man to git his mouth around it and it hain't any music, like the other +names such as Starvation Kenyon, Hangman's Noose, Blizzard Gorge and +the rest. I stick to mine as the purtiest of all." + +"What's that?" + +"'Blazes,' short and sweet and innercent like." + +Landlord Ortigies was leaning with both elbows on the bar. The new +name struck him favorably. + +"I'm inclined to agree with Budge," he said, "cause there hain't any +other place that's hit onto it. All of them names that you chaps have +tried to spring onto us, have been used in other places, or at least +some part of the names, but, as Budge has observed, no galoot has +scooped 'Constantinople.'" + +"'Cause no one ain't fool enough," observed Ike Hoe, who noted the +drift of the sentiment. + +"But they'll pounce onto it powerful quick if we don't grab it while +it's passin'; it's a good long name, and what if it does make a chap +sling the muscles of his jaw to warble it? All the better; it'll make +him think well of his town, which I prophesy is going to be the +emporium of the West." + +"Let's see," growled Wade Ruggles, "Constantinople is in Ireland isn't +it?" + +"Where's your eddycation?" sneered Ike Vose; "it's the oldest town in +Wales." + +Landlord Ortigies raised his head and filled the room with his genial +laughter. + +"If there was anything I was strong on when I led my class at the +Squankum High School it was astronermy; I was never catched in +locating places." + +"If you know so much," remarked Ruggles, "you'll let us know something +'bout that town which I scorn to name." + +"I'm allers ready to enlighten ign'rance, though I've never visited +Constantinople, which stands on the top of the Himalaya Mountains, in +the southern part of Iceland." + +"That's very good," said Budge Isham, who with his usual tact +maneuvered to keep the ally he had gained, "but the Constantinople I +have in mind is in Turkey, which is such a goodly sized country that +it straddles from Europe to Asia." + +"Which the same I suppose means to imply that this ere Constantinople +will do likewise similar." + +"No doubt that's what it'll do in time," assented the landlord. + +"I beg to offer an amendment to my own motion," continued the oily +Budge; "when the boom strikes this town, as it is bound soon to do, +and it rivals in size the famous city on the other side of the +Atlantic, there should be something to distinguish the two. We have no +wish to rob any other place of the honors it has taken centuries to +gain; so, while we reserve the principal name, I propose that we +distinguish it from the old city by prefixing the word 'New.'" + +"You mean that this town shall be 'New Constantinople?'" was the +inquiring remark of the landlord. + +"Precisely; and I now make the motion that that be our name." + +There were seventeen persons present and it looked as if a decision +was inevitable. The landlord was shrewd. His first act was to invite +all to drink at his expense, after which he made each pledge himself +to abide by the decision, whatever it might be. These preliminaries +being arranged, a show of hands was called for. The vote was eight for +and eight against the new name. + +"That's a tie," commented the landlord from behind his immense beard; +"and therefore the question ain't settled." + +"It's easy 'nough to settle it," said Ike Hoe. + +"How?" + +"Take another vote." + +"I don't see how that'll do it, onless some one changes his mind; but +again, gentlemen: all who favor the new name, raise their right +hands." + +Eight horny palms were elevated in air, while the same number were +displayed in the negative. The landlord looked troubled. + +"We must keep it up till some one weakens," observed Wade Ruggles. + +The host scanned the earnest faces in front of him. + +"Which of you gentlemen will promise to weaken if we keep this thing +up for half the night?" + +"I'll stay here a week," was the reply of Vose Adams, while the +general nodding of heads showed that he echoed the sentiments of the +others. The landlord met the crisis with becoming dignity. + +"Gentlemen, when I was a member of Congress, all questions that was +tied was settled by the presiding officer casting the deciding vote, +and which as aforesaid we don't lay any claim to being higher than +Congress, I therefore, by virtue of the aforesaid right vested in me, +cast my vote in favor of this city being called New Constantinople, +which the same is on me again; gentlemen, what will you have?" + +It was a coup d'etat, the victory being clinched before the opposition +realized it. Ere the company had fairly recovered from their +bewilderment, Budge Isham declared that the victory was really his, +due to the good sense and high toned chivalry of his friends, and he +insisted upon doing the honors. He would accept no denial and the +engaging style in which he acquitted himself of this duty restored +good humor. Thus it was that the little mining town of the Sierras in +the days that are gone received its title. + +The Heavenly Bower consisted of two large apartments, both on the +ground floor. The one at the rear was used by Landlord Ortigies for +sleeping, eating and partial storage purposes. When Vose Adams made +his quarterly visits to Sacramento, he was accompanied by two mules. +They were not necessary to take and bring the mail, since the pocket +of Adams' great coat was sufficient for that, but they carried down to +Sacramento several empty casks which came back filled, or rather they +were thus when the return journey was begun, but to the dismay of the +proprietor of the Heavenly Bower, he found that they were barely +two-thirds full, when unloaded at his place. Vose explained that the +leakage was due to the roughness of the trail. Since there seemed no +other way of overcoming this, the landlord sent an extra cask with the +request to Vose that he would confine his leakage to that and Vose +kindly obliged him. + +The stuff thus provided for the Heavenly Bower was generally in +concentrated form, thereby permitting a dilution which insured a full +supply for the customers who were afflicted with an eternal thirst. + +The bar room was of extensive proportions. Nearly all of one side was +occupied by the bar. Opposite was the huge fireplace, and scattered +around were a number of stools, rickety chairs and strong boxes which +served equally well for seats. + +The crackling fire, the genial warmth and good cheer within the room +were the more striking because of their contrast with the howling +storm without. The gale roared around the corners of the rude but +strong structure, rattling against the massive door and the log walls, +spitting vicious gusts down the chimney and flinging great drifts +hither and yon with a fury that threatened to send the building +skurrying through the snowy space. + +"It's the worst blizzard we ever had," remarked Wade Ruggles, after +one of these violent outbursts; "God pity any one that's abroad +to-night." + +"It reminds me of that zephyr last winter," observed Vose Adams, "when +I was bringing your freight, Max, from Sacramento." + +"I remember," nodded the landlord; "you started with two kegs and got +here with about half a one; the leakage was tremenjus on that trip." + +"True; the blizzards is always rough on Mountain Dew, and sorter makes +it shrink," replied the unblushing Vose. + +"Can't you stop the casks leaking so much," inquired Felix Brush, who +had been a parson in Missouri, and claimed that he had never been +"unfrocked." + +The landlord solemnly swayed his head. + +"Not as long as Vose has charge of the freight----" + +At that instant a dull but resounding thump was heard on the roof +overhead. It shook every log in the structure, checked speech and +caused each man to look wonderingly at his neighbor. + +"The mountain has fell on us!" exclaimed Ike Hoe in a husky whisper. + +"If it was the mountain," said Budge Isham, slightly raising his +voice, as the courage of the party came back; "none of us would be +able to tell of it." + +"Then it's a rock--well, I'm blessed! the thing is moving!" + +Something was certainly astir in the mass of snow overhead. + +"I guess it's a angel that has lost its way," submitted Hoe. + +"More likely it's a grizzly b'ar that's stumbled off the rocks--" + +But all these speculations were scattered to the winds by the sound of +a voice muffled and seemingly far away, which came to them through the +storm: + +"_Helloa, the house_!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHAT THE BLIZZARD BROUGHT TO NEW CONSTANTINOPLE + + +A moment after the hail was heard from the roof, the muffled noise +which accompanied it ceased. The stranger groping about in the snowy +gloom had stepped off the roof into the huge drift outside the +Heavenly Bower, and a minute later, lifted the latch of the door and +pushed in among the astonished miners. They saw the figure of a sturdy +man holding something in his arms, so wrapped round with blankets and +coverings that no one could tell its nature. He stamped the snow from +his boots, shook himself like a shaggy dog, then walked heavily to the +chair which Budge Isham placed near the fire for him, and almost fell +into it. + +"Good evening, friends," he said in a grave voice; "It was no fault of +mine that I tried at first to enter by the roof." + +"When I built the Heavenly Bower," replied Landlord Ortigies; "I +meant to place a door up there, but there wasn't anybody in New +Constantinople with enough sense to know how to do it. I 'spose you +was looking fur it, stranger." + +"No," was the reply, "I wasn't looking for anything; I was just +walking, walking through the storm, not knowing or caring where I +went. I can't say how far I came, but it must have been a number of +miles. I was still plodding on, when I set my foot on vacancy and down +I went." + +"Gracious! you fell nearly a hundred feet," said Parson Brush; "it was +a wonderful providence that saved you from being dashed to death." + +"The snow on the roof must be five or six feet deep," replied the +stranger; "for it received me as if it were a feather bed. I saw a +glow from the top of your chimney against the rocks and knew I was on +the roof of a house. I hardly felt jarred and groped my way off into a +lot more snow and here I am." + +The astonishment of the listeners did not make them forget the laws of +hospitality. Budge Isham looked significantly at the landlord, but he +had already drawn a glass of spirits and was coming from behind the +bar with it. + +"Stranger, swallow this; you look cold; you're welcome to the Heavenly +Bower, whether you come through the roof or down the chimbley." + +"Thank you; I'll take the whiskey in a minute." + +And then feeling that he owed those who made him so welcome some +explanation of his coming among them, the stranger said: + +"My friends, my name is Maurice Dawson. About two months ago, I left +Independence, Missouri, with an emigrant train for the Pacific coast. +The elements, disease and the Indians made such inroads upon us that +after a time only half a dozen families remained. As if that wasn't +enough, the few survivors quarreled over the course to follow, most of +them aiming for a pass through the mountains into Southern California, +while I, the greatest fool of them all, set out to find Dead Man's +Gulch, of which I had heard from a party of trappers. My canvas +covered wagon, with a single span of horses, contained all my worldly +goods, and my companions were my wife and little girl Nellie, only +three years old. Everything might have gone well but for this +blizzard, which jumbled up the points of the compass and made +traveling so difficult that after a time it became impossible." + +All were listening with the closest interest, and every heart was +touched by the emotion of the man, which he could not control for +several minutes. No one interrupted, and, feeling that his story was +not quite completed, he added: + +"I fired my gun in the hope of attracting attention, but fortunately +for others I was the only one abroad. By and by the horses stopped. +They could draw the wagon no further. They stood panting and exhausted +and soon lay down in the snow. I turned to speak to my wife, when I +found she had been dead for some minutes, the cold carrying her off as +quietly as if she were dropping asleep. Before she passed away, she +wrapped nearly all her clothing about Nellie, who was cuddling beside +her, so that really the mother, like the noble woman she was, gave her +life for the little one. It was because Nellie was alive, that I +jumped out of the wagon and began floundering through the snow. I +ploughed blindly forward until providence guided me to you." + +While uttering the last words, Maurice Dawson was tenderly unwrapping +the bundle in his arms. There were many folds to draw away, but at +last he reached the treasure within, which was his Nellie, still sound +asleep. + +If the miners were startled by the resounding thump on the roof, they +were now almost struck dumb with amazement. They sat with open mouths, +staring eyes and for a minute no one spoke or stirred. + +"God bless you, my Nellie," murmured the father, bending his head and +touching his lips to the cool forehead; "I had no hope of this when I +left your dead mother and started on my tramp through the snow." + +A general sigh went up from the group of awed miners. Wade Ruggles, +who had been leaning on the bar, with his gaze fixed on that of the +handsome stranger, was the first to recover from the spell which held +them all. Tiptoeing across the room, he paused in front of the father +and his child and stared, wondering and speechless. Then one by one +the others did the same, until the whole company were grouped around +the man and child, each afraid to whisper, as if doing so would +dissolve the heavenly vision. + +When the wrappings had been laid aside, and the little one was placed +upright, she stared bewildered into the shaggy faces around her. Her +big blue eyes were open to their widest extent, the mass of golden +curls rippled about her shoulders and the fairy-like feet were +inclosed in thick, warm shoes and stockings. The dress of a dull brown +color and thick texture, fitted her tiny frame perfectly and she +formed a most winsome picture of infantile beauty. + +For fully five minutes all stared in silence at the marvelous picture. +As before, Wade Ruggles was the first to come to himself, but when he +spoke, it was in an awed, hesitating whisper: + +"Is she really alive?" + +The sorrowful face of the father lit up with a faint smile as he +answered: + +"Yes; thank heaven; alive and well." + +"May I touch her?" timidly asked Ike Hoe, extending his finger which +faintly brushed the rosy cheek, and was instantly snatched away as if +he felt he had done a sacrilegious thing. + +"I say," ventured Ruggles gathering courage, "I wonder now if she +would let me take her in my arms for a minute or so; I won't drop her; +but that's too much to ask, howsumever." + +While he stood hopeful, hesitating and doubtful, Nellie with a half +frightened smile, dived her head under the arm of her father, as if to +get away from the embarrassing situation. He gently fondled the golden +hair and drew her face into view again. + +"There, little one, there's nothing to be frightened at; these people +are all your friends and will do anything they can to please you." + +"You're right!" exclaimed Landlord Ortigies, with a shake of his head; +"we'll do anything in the world for you; if you say the word, I'll +stand on my head or stand any one else here the same way." + +And he showed an alarming inclination to invert himself for the +amusement of the child, but she did not seem to grasp the meaning of +the offer. She fixed her eyes upon Ruggles, who made bold by what +seemed a favorable sign, took a step forward and invitingly extended +his hands. She debated for a moment, whether to meet the proffer and +then with the impulsiveness of infancy leaned toward him. With a +thrill of pleasure the grizzled miner carefully placed his huge arms +underneath hers, and lifted her as if she were a doll from her +father's knee. As he did so, every one saw the big tears trickling +down his cheeks. + +"I can't help it, boys," he said apologetically; "the last child I +held in these arms was my own Jennie, and she was dead." + +With infinite affection, he pressed his bearded lips against the +chubby cheek, while she, relieved of all fear, flung her dimpled arms +about his neck and kissed him in return. With one hand, she lifted the +flapping hat from his head and with the other smoothed away the +luxuriant hair from his forehead. + +"I like you ever so much, but you are crying," she said sympathetically; +"what makes you do that? Haven't you got a little girl like me?" + +"No, my precious child; I once had just such a sweet tot as you, but +the good Lord took her from me, and I love you just as I loved her." + +"And that's what we all are going to do," remarked Ike Hoe, with a +sniff as he drew his sleeve across his eyes; "this beats anything in +the history of New Constantinople, by seven hundred and eighty-four +thousand majority." + +"Come, Wade, you must be fair with us," said the landlord, reaching +out his arms; "we all claim an equal share in her." + +The miner felt the truth of this, and without a word relinquished the +treasure. Drawing his handkerchief, he wiped his eyes clear of their +mist and jealously followed the surrendered one as she was fondled in +turn by the others. First one and then another, until she had +completed the round. All had something pleasant to say to her and she +replied in her sweet innocent way, causing laughter and winning her +path straight to the hearts of the hardy fellows, to whom such +endearments had been unknown for years, but whose better natures were +stirred by the presence of the child, as if she were in reality an +angel sent from heaven. + +Felix Brush had purposely left his turn for the last, hoping thereby +to retain her longer than his friends. After chatting with her for a +moment and repeating some rigmarole that set her laughing, followed by +the request for him to say it again, he stood her on the bar. Then he +danced in front of her, swung his arms like a jumping-jack, and told +some outlandish fairy story from the stock that no one had ever +suspected he possessed. + +"Can you stand on your head?" asked Nellie, rippling over with fun. + +"Certainly," he replied, as without a moment's hesitation, he inverted +himself and cracked his heels together, though the attitude was such +an unfamiliar one that he careened and went over on his back with a +thump that made the room tremble. Nellie clapped her chubby hands +with delight and before Brush could repeat the performance, she +called: + +"Catch me; I'm going to jump." + +"All right; I'm ready for you." + +She recoiled a step to gather momentum and Landlord Ortigies, +terrified at the fear that she might step off backward, made a dive +round the end of the bar, catching his foot in an obstruction and +falling with a crash that drew all attention to him. + +"I'm so sorry; be you hurt?" asked Nellie, turning her head and +surveying him, as his face came up to view like the full moon rising +above the horizon. + +"Not a bit; I done that on purpose to make you laugh; I always do that +to please good little girls like you." + +"Bime by I'll let you fall all the time, but just see me jump." + +Felix Brush was still standing, with arms outstretched, and, without a +second's hesitation the child leaped off into space. She showed no +fright, for there was no cause for it, since she was caught fairly and +securely. Inasmuch as she had been fondled by every one, and the +parson had had her longer than anyone else, he set her down on the +floor and she began running here and there, displaying a childish +curiosity to understand everything in sight. Going to the half-opened +door, communicating with the darkened apartment at the rear, she +peeped timidly in. + +"Who lives in dere?" she asked, turning around and addressing the +whole group who were laughingly watching her. + +"That's where I live," replied Ortigies. + +"Do you live all alone?" + +"Yes, my child." + +"Haven't you got any little girl like me?" + +"No; I'd give all I have in the world if I had." + +"Wouldn't you like to have me for your little girl?" + +"Indeed I would; will you be my little girl?" + +The baby face became thoughtful. She thrust one finger in the corner +of her mouth and looked down at the floor. + +"What would papa do and those other folks? I will be the little girl +for all of you." + +This struck the party as the brightest and wittiest expression ever +made by a mortal. They laughed, clapped their hands and striking each +other on the shoulder wanted to know whether anything of the like had +ever before been heard. Certainly not. Without paying any heed to +them, Nellie was peering into the room again. + +"It's dark and cold," she said in an awed voice, turning her face +around, the better to communicate the information; "but I ain't +afraid." + +Before she could fairly enter the place, her father, who was +affectionately watching her, said: + +"I guess you would better not go in there, Nellie; it's growing late +and is time you prepared for bed." + +"I'll fix a place for her," said Ortigies; "we ain't much on style +here, but I can manage to make her comfortable." + +"But will it not discommode you?" + +"That little gal can't discommode any one in New Constantinople; if +she would prefer to have me go out and sleep in the snow, I'll be glad +to do it." + +"I've just the place for her," interposed Wade Ruggles; "couldn't be +better if I had taken a week to get it ready." + +"Can't begin with my quarters," Felix Brush hastened to say, and there +would have been a general wrangle for the privilege of accommodating +the little one, had not her father, seeing how matters were going, +smilingly raised his hand in protest. + +"I cannot tell you, my friends, how much I thank you all for your +kindness. Ah, if my poor wife could have held out until she reached +here, but that was not to be. I shall be glad to stay with Mr. +Ortigies to-night, and with your permission shall remain for a few +days in your settlement. I have lost everything I owned in the world, +and will need some time to decide what is best to do. Our stay in New +Constantinople will give all a better chance to get acquainted with +Nellie. I'll surrender her to you until you get tired of her." + +"Get tired of her!" repeated Vose Adams, voicing the sentiments of +all; "we're not the kind of galoots to git tired of an angel." + +The father expressed his thanks with such winsome grace, that every +man instinctively felt that he was a born gentleman. There was not a +miner in the room who did not sympathize with him in his affliction, +and yet they envied him the possession of the child, whose innocence +and beauty impressed them as more wonderful than they had ever looked +upon before. When Felix Brush whispered to Budge Isham that +arrangements must be made in some way to keep the father with them, +for the sake of having the child, his friend nodded his head, and said +he had made up his mind to the same effect from the moment the parent +referred to the matter. And the sentiments of these two were those of +the rest. + +"Come, Nellie, let me prepare you for bed; it's a long time since you +have had that privilege." + +The little one obediently walked to her father and turned her back to +him that he might better remove her clothing. + +"I suppose you have plenty of covering for her?" remarked the parent +inquiringly to the landlord. + +"There's all she can need." + +Lifting her on his knee, the father began removing the shoes and +stockings, the little one giving what aid she could, when it came to +the garments. One of the last acts of the affectionate mother had been +to place upon her child the gown she was accustomed to wear while +asleep. When at last she was ready, she looked up to her father and +asked in a half whisper: + +"Where's mamma?" + +"She will not be with us to-night." + +"Then she will come in the morning?" + +"Wait until then, my child; don't say anything more about mamma now." + +She was satisfied, and signified that she was ready to have her father +carry her to her bed. Then she exclaimed with a laugh: + +"Ain't that funny?" + +"What's that?" + +"I like to fordot to say my prayers." + +And slipping from her father's knee, she knelt on the floor, with her +hands covering her face which, as it pressed his knee, was hidden by +the mass of golden ringlets clustering and falling about it. Not a man +stirred or spoke. All were so silent that the sifting of the snow +against the logs, the moaning of the gale and the soft rustle of the +embers that broke apart on the hearth were audible. But all these were +as the "voice of silence" itself, so that when the child began her +prayer in a low voice, every syllable was heard. + + "Now I lay me down to sleep. + I pray the Lord my soul to keep; + If I should die before I wake, + I pray the Lord my soul to take. + God bless papa, mamma and make Nellie a good girl; bless--" + +Wheeling short round at the silent, awed group, she looked at the +landlord and asked: + +"What is your name?" + +"Or-ti-gies," he replied, pronouncing it carefully. + +She made rather sorry work at first, but there could be no doubt that +the One to whom she was addressing the petition understood her wishes. +When she had satisfied herself and included the landlord in her +prayer, she ceased again, and this time looked up at her father whose +hand was resting on her head. + +"I must pray for _all_ of them, musn't I?" + +"Certainly, my child." + +"But I don't know dere names." + +"They will all tell them." + +No act of worship in church or grand cathedral was more solemn and +reverential than that of the men, as each in turn stepped softly +forward with bowed head, and repeated his name to the tiny petitioner, +who immediately included it with those for whom she had already prayed +and it was wafted upward through space to Him who delights to hear and +answer such petitions. + +She did not forget one. To make sure, she looked up while still on her +knees and asked: + +"Did I fordot any of you?" + +"No," replied the parent; "you have not missed any. That's a good +girl." + +"And I know they will all be good, for I asked God to make 'em so." + +The father now rose to his feet with her in his arms, and she +called a general good night, flinging a kiss to all. Landlord +Ortigies had lit an extra lamp and with it in hand, he led the way to +the rear room, where as he stated, comfortable quarters were +provided for the little one. Since the Heavenly Bower was the only +place in the mining settlement where the wanderer, who occasionally +made his way into that remote part of the world, could expect to +find sleeping accommodations, Ortigies was always prepared for +visitors. Thus he was able to furnish the father with a couch so +placed that he virtually shared the bed with his child. + +Ten minutes later, when he stole back into the room with the landlord +to see whether everything was right with his child, she was found sunk +in the sweet, dreamless slumber of infancy. The picture was so winsome +as she lay with her cheek resting upon the rough pillow, that Ortigies +stepped softly to the door and beckoned to his friends. Everyone stole +forward, and stood looking down for several minutes upon the sleeper, +and, as he did so, new resolves sprang into his heart. Already it may +be said they were better men because of the blessed messenger that had +come among them. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A SLIP OR TWO + + +The blizzard gradually subsided toward morning, but when the fall of +snow ceased, it lay to the depth of several feet on the level, while +the gorges were choked with vast drifts. The cold was below zero and +no work could be done in the diggings until a rise in temperature +came. + +It was hardly light, however, on the succeeding morning, when three of +the miners accompanied Maurice Dawson in his search for the abandoned +wagon and team. There was not a trace of anything resembling a trail, +the footprints of the man having been obliterated by the wind-driven +snow, and the skill of the party was taxed to the utmost. Several +times they were compelled to rest, and Dawson himself suggested that +the search be given up until a change in the weather; but the kind +hearted men saw how deeply he grieved, and their sympathy kept them +toiling until about noon when success came. + +The wagon was so covered with snow that it resembled a hummock, which +ordinarily would have been passed without notice. The horses and the +inanimate form within were like blocks of wood. The slight figure was +lifted tenderly from its resting place and brought to Dead Man's +Gulch. + +Since the last recollection of Nellie was when she supposed her mother +alive, it was deemed kinder that she should not look upon the lifeless +form again. With hard labor the picks and shovels hollowed out a +shallow grave into which the form, wrapped about with a single +blanket, was laid away to rest until the last day. + +The father, when questioned by the little one, explained that her +mother had gone on a long, long journey and there was no saying when +she would be seen again. Nellie cried a good deal and it saddened her +parent's heart, when stealing softly into her room, he saw the traces +of tears on her cheeks. Who can tell the sorrows of childhood when +such a cruel affliction comes upon it? But it is a blessed truth that +time is the healer of all wounds, and after awhile the little one +ceased to ask about her mother. When the whole truth was told her, she +had become old enough to bear the blow. + +Maurice Dawson's first purpose was to remain only for a week or two +with the friends of himself and child. He had set out for the Pacific +coast, and, although it was still a thousand miles distant, he felt it +his duty to press on, but he suffered himself to be dissuaded, when it +was explained that the prospect of obtaining gold was as good at New +Constantinople, whereas, if he continued his journey, he would have to +make his home among strangers, who were not likely to feel the +interest in him and his child that was felt by those who were the +means of saving their lives. Furthermore, since he had lost his team, +he was without the means of pressing on. None of the emigrant trains +turned so far out of their course as to come to Dead Man's Gulch, and +nothing was plainer than that the citizens of that place would not +give the least help in an enterprise that was to deprive them of +Nellie. It is impossible to say what would have followed, had he +persisted in his first decision, for while the men might have +consented to let him go, they would have rebelled had he attempted to +take the child from them. + +And so it came about, we repeat, that Maurice Dawson decided to make +his home indefinitely in the town that had been christened New +Constantinople. With the help of his neighbors, Landlord Ortigies +divided his rear room into two apartments, one of which was turned +over to the parent and his child. Nearly every miner brought some +article, such as a fragment of mirror, a picture or trinket and +presented it to the little one, whose room naturally became the finest +in New Constantinople. + +Dawson himself joined the miners at their work, all showing an +eagerness to lend him a helping hand, and there was reason to hope +that in time there would be a fair reward for their labor. He was not +only an educated man, but was strong and enterprising, considerate of +the feelings of others, and now that his life partner was gone, he had +but the little daughter to live for. Gladly he toiled for her, for no +child was ever more tenderly loved by parent than she. His thoughts +turned to the future, but for some years he believed it was better +that she should remain where she was. + +Nellie Dawson became the pet of the mining town. There was not a man +in the place, no matter how rough his ways, nor how dark had been his +past, who was not made the better by her presence. She touched a +responsive chord in every heart. She awoke tones that had been silent +for years, and stirred into life resolves that had lain dormant for a +generation. When the weather grew milder with the approach of spring, +she flitted like a bird from cabin to cabin, equally at home and +dearly prized in all. Many a time when night came, the father was +unable to find her, and perhaps saw nothing of her until the next day, +but he never felt any solicitude. He knew that some of the men had +persuaded her to remain with them, and he was too considerate to rob +them of the pleasure of listening to her innocent prattle, while they +racked their ingenuity and threw dignity to the winds in the effort to +entertain her. Each one strove to make her think more of him than the +others, and it ended by her loving them all. + +As a rule, Nellie ate her morning meal at home, after spending the +night with her father, and then she was off for the day, returning or +remaining away as her airy fancy prompted. Her sweet influence in the +mining camp was beyond the power of human calculation to fathom. No +gauge could be placed upon it. Like the sweep of an angel's wing, her +coming seemed to have wafted nearly all the coarseness, wrong and evil +from her path. + +"There's a serious question that I want to lay afore this company," +gravely remarked Wade Ruggles one night in the Heavenly Bower. Dawson +was absent with a brother miner at the lower end of the settlement, so +the gathering felt at liberty to discuss him and his child. Wade of +late had fallen into the habit of taking the lead in such discussions, +and Landlord Ortigies was quite willing to turn over the honors of the +chairmanship to the outspoken fellow. + +The remainder of the company were smoking, drinking and talking as the +mood took them, and all looked inquiringly at the speaker, seeing +which Wade continued with the same earnestness he had shown at first: + +"It is this: that little angel that was tossed down here in the +blizzard is growing fast; she's larning something cute every day; she +notices things that you don't think of; fact is she's the smartest +youngster that was ever born. Does any gent feel disposed to dispoot +the aforesaid statement?" he abruptly asked, laying his hand on the +butt of his revolver and looking severely around in the faces of his +friends. + +No one questioned the assertion. Had it been left to them to choose +the words, they would have made them stronger. + +"Wal, the remark I was about to remark is that I hear some coarse +observations once in awhile. I may say that I have indulged in a few +myself when the 'casion was suitable and called for 'em, but I want to +give notice that the thing must stop in the presence of the angel." + +"Your suggestions generally ain't worth listenin' to," observed Ike +Hoe, "but there's solid sense in them words. I have been troubled over +the same thing and was goin' to submit a proposition." + +"You're a purty one to do it," commented Vose Adams scornfully; "why +it's only yesterday that I heerd you say 'darn' just because I +happened to smash the end of your finger, with the hammer I was +drivin' a nail with." + +"Did the little one hear him?" asked Wade Ruggles, while an expression +of horror settled on every countenance. + +"No, sir!" declared Ike; "afore I indulged in the expression, so +proper under the tryin' circumstances, I looked round to make sartin +she wasn't in hearing distance." + +"You must have looked very quick," said Vose; "for the horrible words +was simultaneous with the flattenin' of your big forefinger. +Howsumever, I gazed round myself and am happy to say she warn't in +sight. If she had been, I'd smashed all your fingers." + +"A very proper Christian spirit," commended Wade; "I hope all the rest +of you will strive to emerlate it." + +Felix Brush was leaning on the end of the bar with a glass of steaming +toddy, which he had partly sipped, and was now caressing with his +hand. + +"Gentlemen," said he impressively, "permit me a word. Wade has touched +a subject which appeals to us all. I have given it much thought for +the past few days and feel it my duty to look after the religious +instruction of the child." + +Two or three disrespectful snickers followed this declaration. The +parson instantly flared up. + +"If any reprobate here feels a desire to scoff, he's only to step +outside for a few minutes and see who can get the drop on the other." + +Everybody knew that the parson was always well heeled, and no one +questioned his courage. His friends contented themselves with pitying +smiles and significant glances at one another. Felix hastily +swallowed his toddy, with the evident intention of airing his emphatic +views, when Wade Ruggles interposed: + +"Pards, you're gettin' off the track; we hain't got to the religious +racket yit; that'll come later. What I want to 'rive at is as to using +cuss words and unproper language where the angel hears it. It ain't +'nough for us to agree that we won't do it; it must be fixed so we +don't take no chances." + +This was not exactly clear and Wade was asked to be more explicit. + +"I mean that there must be a penalty, such as will stop a galoot that +has once offended from doing the same thing again." + +This clearly intimated that the punishment which the chairman had in +mind was of a frightful nature. The landlord begged Wade to come down +to particulars. + +"My idee is that whoever offends this little one by unproper language +shall be filled full of bullet holes: how does _that_ strike you?" + +"It hits me just right!" responded the landlord, with several nods of +his head; "but there's one thing in the way." + +"What's that?" demanded Wade, showing some temper at this attack upon +his scheme. + +"It 'lows a man to say the unproper words in the hearin' of the angel, +_afore_ he's shot; so it won't prevent her ears from being 'fended. +Can't we fix it some way, so that she shan't hear 'em at all?" + +"There's no trouble about that," solemnly remarked Budge Isham from +his seat at the further end of the room; "You have only to find out +when a fellow has made up his mind to use improper language in the +presence of the child, and then shoot him before he can say the +words." + +"But how shall we know he's going to say 'em?" inquired the chairman, +who in the earnestness of his feelings felt no suspicion of the +honesty of his friend. + +"You will have to judge that by the expression of his countenance. I +think when a fellow has made up his mind to swear his looks give +notice of what is coming. The rest of us must be on the alert and pick +him off before the words get out of his mouth. And yet I am sorry to +say," added Budge gravely rising to his feet, "that there is one +serious drawback to my proposition." + +"The chairman is anxious to hear it." + +"There might be mistakes made. A man's expression is not always an +index of his thoughts. He might be suffering from some inward pain, +and be in the act of uttering some expression, but his face could have +so mean a look that if our law was in force, he would be shot on +sight. For instance, studying these faces all turned toward me, I +should say, speaking on general principles, that all except one or +two deserve, not shooting, but hanging, and if looks were to determine +a man's depth of infamy, mighty few of you would live five minutes." + +Budge sank gravely into his seat and resumed smoking, while his +friends, understanding his trifling character, contemptuously refused +attention to his disrespectful remarks. In the general discussion +which followed, several insisted that the only proper punishment for +the grave offence was death; but the sentiment crystallized into the +feeling that that penalty was somewhat severe for the first breaking +of the law. It was proper enough for the second crime, but a man who +had been accustomed to picturesque and emphatic words was liable to +err once at least while on the road to reformation. The agreement +finally reached was that the offender should be heavily fined, +compelled to fast several days, or, more frightful than all, be +deprived of the privileges of the bar for the same length of time. +When the last penalty was fixed there were several suppressed groans +and a general setting of lips, with the unshakable resolve to steer +clear of that appalling punishment. + +Everything was serene for several days, when, as might have been +anticipated, the explosion came. Al Bidwell, in coming out of the +Heavenly Bower, caught the toe of one of his boots and fell forward on +his hands and knees. Two of his friends seeing him naturally laughed, +whereupon, as he picked himself up, he demanded in the name of the +presiding genius of hades, what they saw to laugh at. By way of +answer, one of them pointed to Nellie Dawson, who ran forward to help +him to his feet. + +"Did you hurt yourself, Mr. Bidwell? I's so sorry." + +"You may well be, little one," was the bitter response, as he realized +his awful offence; "for this will play thunder with me--there it goes +agin! Please don't say another word," he exclaimed desperately, +striding down the street to save himself from piling up a mountain of +unpardonable crimes. + +The committee did not gather until late that evening, for Nellie was +at home and it was thought advisable to wait until she was asleep, so +that she should not know anything of what was in the air. The +conversation was in subdued tones until Mr. Dawson tip-toed out of the +rear room, with the announcement that the little one was sunk in +slumber. + +"Such bein' the case," remarked Wade Ruggles, with becoming gravity, +"this meeting will proceed to bus'ness. Pards, a hein'us crime has +been committed among us. In the proud history of New Constantinople, +we've had hangin' bees; we've shot three Injins 'cause they _was_ +Injins; there has been any number of holes plugged inter them as was a +little careless of speech, and more'n once there has been the devil to +pay, but nothin' like this, _never_! Vose Adams, you was one as heard +this wretch Bidwell indulge in his shocking profanity. You'll be good +'nough to give the partic'lars to the gents that I must warn to brace +themselves fur the shock." + +Vose Adams told the story which was familiar to all. He and Budge +Isham were approaching the Heavenly Bower that forenoon, the cause +being a due regard for the requirement of the laws of health, when +Albert Bidwell, the accused, stubbed his toe. Hearing a laugh, he +looked up and demanded to know what the ---- they were laughing at. +While the query, though objectionable on aesthetic grounds, might have +passed muster in the diggings or anywhere in New Constantinople +previous to the advent of the angel at present making her home with +them, yet the horror of the thing was that the aforesaid angel heard +it. She ran to the help of the villain, who added to his monumental +crime by calmly remarking to her that what he had just said would play +thunder with him. + +This second offence was unanimously felt by those present to be more +unpardonable than the first, since it was in the nature of an +addendum, had nothing to do with the business proper, and worst of +all, was addressed to Nellie herself. + +Chairman Ruggles turned his severest frown upon the prisoner, who was +sitting disconsolately on a box, and drawing at his brier wood pipe, +which in the depth of his emotion, he failed to notice was unlighted. + +"What has the prisoner to say fur himself?" + +Bidwell shuffled to his feet, took the pipe from his mouth and looked +around upon the cold, unsympathetic faces. + +"Wal, pards," he remarked, heaving a great sigh, "I don't see that +there's anything partic'lar fur me to say. When a thing is fairly +proved onto you, you can't make nothin' by denyin' of the same. I've +been tryin' to walk a chalk line ever since the angel arrove among us. +Two or three times I fell over backward and bruised my head, owin' to +my tryin' to stand up too straight. I was just bracin' myself to do +the same as aforesaid, when comin' out of this disgraceful place, when +I took a headlong dive and struck the earth so hard, I must have made +a bulge in China. Two unmannerly ijuts that happened to see me, +instead of expressin' sorrer for my mishap, broke out laughin', and in +my righteous indignation, I asked them a emphatic question." + +"Ord'narily," observed the Court, "your explanation would do. In the +old times, nothin' would have been said if you'd drawed your gun and +give 'em a lesson in manners, but that aint the question afore the +house: Why did you do it in the presence of the angel?" + +"Didn't see her till after the crime was committed." + +"But why didn't you look fur her to larn whether she was in sight or +was liable to hear your shocking words?" + +"Didn't think of it." + +"Your reply only aggervates the offence. If any man feels that he must +swear or bust, he must bust, purvided the little one is in sight; or +he must hold in till he can climb on top of the rocks, or creep among +the foothills where he's sure of being alone. The Court hain't any +'bjection to your thinking all the cuss words you want to, but you +mus'n't speak 'em when she's about. You understand the position of the +Court?" + +"I'd be a fool if I didn't," growled the accused. + +"It's onnecessary to understand 'em in order to be a fool, Mr. +Bidwell, but how 'bout your second offence, when you used the word +'thunder,' and addressed it to the gal herself?" + +The prisoner felt that nothing could be said in palliation of this +charge. + +"That _was_ bad bus'ness, I'll confess; but I was so disgusted with +myself that I didn't know what I was doing or saying; the words come +out afore I had time to pull myself together. I was so afeard of +adding something still worser that I just rushed off to git out of +danger." + +[Illustration: AS HE PICKED HIMSELF UP, HE DEMANDED IN THE NAME OF THE +PRESIDING GENIUS OF HADES WHAT THEY SAW TO LAUGH AT.--PAGE 43.] + +"There's where you showed the first grain of sense the Court ever +knowed you to show. If I had been in your place, I would have jumped +off the rocks, into the kenyon, two thousand feet below. If you'd done +that you'd been saved the disgrace of being put on trial in this +honorable Court. Gents," added Ruggles, glancing from the prisoner +into the expectant faces, "since the man owns up, it rests with you to +fix the penalty for his crime of bigamous murder." + +The prisoner resumed his seat and the chairman looked around, as an +invitation for those present to express their views. When they came to +do so, a wide diversity came to the surface. Vose Adams suggested that +the criminal be compelled to go without any food for three days, but +this was not favorably received, since the rough, trying life which +each man had been compelled to follow at times during the past years, +made the punishment much less than it appeared to be. + +Ike Hoe suggested that instead of food, the accused's liquid +refreshment should be shut off for the time named. The accused +groaned. + +When this had continued for some time, Felix Brush, the parson, took +the floor. + +"Gentlemen, it's a principle in law to be lenient with the first +offence, and, since this is the first time that Bidwell has offended +and he deeply feels his disgrace, why not require him to apologize to +the young lady and stand treat for the crowd, with the understanding +that his next crime shall be visited with condign punishment?" + +"Do you propose to let him off?" demanded the wrathful chairman. + +"Yes; for this once, but never again." + +"I'll never consent to anything of the kind! The dignity of the Court +must be preserved; the law must be executed, and any man who says +'devil' or 'thunder' in the presence of the little gal, I don't care +what the circumstances, orter to be shot, so that there wont be any +delay in his going to the devil, where he belongs." + +"_O, Mr. Ruggles, I heard you_!" + +A little figure dressed in white stood at the door leading to the rear +room, and the startled auditors turning their heads, saw Nellie +Dawson, with her chubby finger pointed reprovingly at the dumbfounded +chairman. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +SUITING THE PUNISHMENT TO THE CRIME + + +Wade Ruggles was speechless. He sat with his mouth wide open and his +eyes staring at the little figure, as if it were a veritable +apparition. All the others looked in the same direction. Nellie Dawson +stood for a moment with her finger pointed reprovingly at the +chairman, and then turning about ran back into the rear room and +plunged into her bed. + +"Max, quick!" said Ruggles faintly, pointing to the black bottle at +the rear of the bar. The landlord hastily poured out some of the fiery +stuff, and the miserable fellow swallowed it at a gulp. It served +partly to revive him, but he was really on the verge of collapse. + +The only one of the company not impressed was Maurice Dawson, father +of the little girl. He was sitting well back of the rest, where no one +paid attention to him. Comprehending the meaning of this incident, he +drew his hand across his mouth to conceal the smile that could not be +wholly restrained. Then he hurried back into the room to see that his +child was "tucked up" and properly covered for the night. Finding +himself in the dark, where he could not be observed, he laughed +deeply and silently, his mirth all the greater because of the +oppressive gravity of every one else. Then bending over, he said, as +he kissed the little one: + +"I thought you were asleep, Nellie?" + +"So I was, but Mr. Ruggles spoke those bad words so loud he woked +me." + +"You mustn't get up again, will you?" + +"Not if you don't want me to." + +"I have just told you I don't wish you to." + +"Then I wont get up." + +The father lingered in the room, until he mastered his disposition to +laugh, and then, when he walked out among his friends no countenance +was graver than his. + +"I say, Dawson," said Ruggles, swallowing a lump in his throat, "will +you oblige me by acting as chairman?--I don't feel--very--well." + +The gentleman walked forward to where Ruggles had been standing with +his back against the bar, looking down in the faces of his friends. +The poor fellow seemed to have aged ten years, as he slouched off to +an upturned box near the door, where he dejectedly seated himself. + +"What is your pleasure, gentlemen?" asked Dawson, as if presiding over +the deliberations of one of the most august assemblages in the land; +"I am ready to hear any suggestion or motion." + +Al Bidwell rose to his feet. + +"Mr. Chairman, I wish to endorse with all my heart, the soul-stirring, +eloquent address to which we have just listened from the late Mr. +Ruggles,--I mean the late Chairman. Them sentiments of his is as sound +as a gold dollar. He maintains that any gent that uses an unproper +word, such as he used and which I scorn to repeat, in the presence of +the young lady, who has just listened to his remarks, oughter to be +sent to the individooal whose name is too shocking fur me to +pronounce, since the aforesaid young lady is in the adjoining +apartment, from whence she was awoke by the awful profanity of the +gent who lately served as our chairman." + +And having gotten back on Ruggles in this masterly manner, Bidwell sat +down, slung one leg over the other, and relit his pipe. The oppressive +silence was broken by a prodigious sigh from Ruggles. + +Parson Brush, after the stillness had continued some minutes, rose to +his feet. + +"Mr. Chairman, an extraordinary state of affairs has arisen. You have +not forgotten that I plead for charity for Mr. Bidwell, because it was +his first offence. My plea was not well received, but my sentiments +are unchanged, and I now make the same plea for Mr. Ruggles and on the +same grounds. When he was denouncing in fitting terms the sin of +Bidwell, he had no thought of committing the crime himself, but in +his earnestness he did. This being plain to all of us, I renew----" + +Wade Ruggles bounded to his feet. + +"I don't want any one to plead for me! I ain't pleading fur myself! I +can take my medicine like a man; if there's any galoot here----" + +He suddenly checked himself with an apprehensive glance at the door of +the rear room, and then resumed in a more subdued voice: + +"I insist that Al Bidwell shall suffer for his onspeakable crime and +me too, 'cause mine was onspeakabler. Jedgin' from the evidence that +showed itself, I must have awoke the little gal from peaceful slumber, +by them awful words of mine." + +He paused and looked inquiringly at the chairman, who calmly returned +his gaze, without speaking. It was Parson Brush who interposed: + +"I should like to ask, Mr. Dawson, whether the supposition of Mr. +Ruggles has any foundation in fact." + +"It has; when I asked Nellie what caused her to awake, she said it was +Mr. Ruggles when he used those bad words." + +"Just what I thought!" exclaimed Ruggles, as if he enjoyed heaping +fire upon his own head; "there ain't any depth of infamy which I +hain't reached. For me to try to sneak out now, when I made such +a----(Here he again threw a startled glance at the rear of the room) +would be to do something which Wade Ruggles never done in his +variegated career of nigh onto forty years. All I ask is that you'll +git through it as soon as you kin and fix our terms of imprisonment or +our deaths and hev done with it." + +Al Bidwell took an unworthy delight in prodding the man who had been +so severe upon him. + +"I beg humbly to suggest to the gent that there are plenty of places +in the mountains where he can make a jump of a thousand feet or two +into the kenyons. Wouldn't it be a good idee fur the gent to try it?" + +"I will if you'll join me," retorted Wade, turning upon him like a +flash. + +"I'll let you try it first and see how it works," replied Bidwell, so +crushed that he remained silent henceforward. + +"Since I am chairman," said Dawson, with becoming dignity, "it is my +duty to listen to suggestions and to hear motions. What is your +pleasure, gentlemen?" + +No one in looking at the countenance of Maurice Dawson would have +suspected he was extracting the keenest enjoyment from these +proceedings, yet such was the fact. There was something so intensely +ludicrous in the whole business, that only by assuming preternatural +gravity could he refrain from breaking into merriment. His policy was +to egg on the discussion until the company were ready for a decision, +when he would interpose with the proposal to wipe out the whole matter +and begin over again. The earnestness of Wade Ruggles, however, +threatened to check anything of that nature. He was on his feet +several times until Budge Isham, who shrewdly suspected the sentiments +of the chairman, protested. + +"With all due respect to the parson, to Ruggles and to Bidwell, it +strikes me, Mr. Chairman, that they should give the rest of us a show. +We have listened to their yawping until it has grown monotonous. +Having told us a dozen times, more or less, that he wants us to punish +him all he deserves, Mr. Ruggles ought to let it rest with that; but +he shouldn't forget," added Budge, with the solemn manner which always +marked his waggery, "that, if we took him at his word, he would be +kicking vacancy this minute. However, this hasn't anything to do with +his general cussedness, but concerns his offence against the young +lady. That is all there is before the house, and I insist that we +confine ourselves to that----" + +"Isn't that what I've been insistin' on?" demanded Wade Ruggles. + +"There you go again! I have the floor, and you have no parliamentary +right to interrupt me with your frivolous remarks. Am I correct, Mr. +Chairman?" + +"You are most unquestionably; proceed." + +"Well, to bring this tiresome matter to a close, I move that Mr. +Bidwell be deprived of the bar privileges of the Heavenly Bower for a +period of four days, and that the same be denied to Mr. Ruggles for a +period of one week. Did I hear a groan?" asked Budge, looking round at +the two men, who were trying bravely to bear up under the threatened +punishment. + +Both shook their heads, afraid to trust their voices by way of reply. + +"If the gentlemen will permit me," said the chairman, "I should like +to say a few words." + +"I am sure we shall be glad to hear from Mr. Dawson," remarked the +parson. + +"Thank you. What I had in mind is this:--It is creditable to your +honor that you should pledge yourselves to refrain from unbecoming +language in the hearing of my little girl, for you cannot help being +her instructors, no matter how much you may wish it were otherwise. +But you are magnifying the matter. I am sure every man of you will +strive just as hard, without being incited thereto by the fear of +punishment. I would beg to suggest----" + +He paused, for, looking at Wade Ruggles, he saw it was useless to go +further. Bidwell would have been glad to receive leniency, but his +partner in crime was immovable, and it would not do to punish one and +allow the other to go free. Dawson was wise enough to accept the +situation promptly. + +"You have heard the penalties suggested for the offences of the two +gentlemen accused. All who favor such punishment will show it by +raising their right hands." + +Every man in the room, except the chairman, voted in the affirmative. + +"It isn't worth while to put the negative. The accused have heard the +verdict, which is that Mr. Bidwell shall not drink a drop of anything +except water or coffee for a period of four days, dating from this +moment, while Mr. Ruggles is to undergo the same penalty for a period +of one week." + +"That's right," growled Bidwell; "for he drank about half of what was +in the bottle only a few minutes ago." + +"And you would have drunk it all," retorted Ruggles, "if you'd knowed +what was coming." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A HUNDRED FOLD + + +All this may seem a trifling matter to the reader who does not +understand the real punishment suffered by these two men, who, like +all the rest of their companions, had been accustomed to the use of +ardent spirits for many years. There was no deprivation which they +could not have borne with less distress, but their great consolation +was that both knew the penalty was fully deserved, and they would not +have complained had it been made more severe. + +"I tell you," said Bidwell, at the end of the fourth day, when he had +celebrated his release from purgatory, "it pays, Ruggles." + +"What pays?" + +"The reward you git for all this. At the end of a week you'll have a +thirst that you wouldn't take a thousand dollars fur." + +"But the week isn't much more'n half gone and I'd sell my thirst +mighty cheap now." + +"Don't you do it! Hold fast to it." + +"That's what I'm doing, 'cause I can't help myself. Howsumever it's +the thirst that's holding fast to me." + +"That's the beauty of it; it'll git stronger and stronger, and then +it's so big that you can't well handle it. It seems to me that ten +minutes after I've had a drink, I'm thirsty agin, which reminds me; +I'd like to invite you, Wade." + +"Invite all you want to, 'cause it won't do any more hurt than good; +don't let me keep you," added Ruggles, observing the longing eyes his +friend cast in the direction of the Heavenly Bower. Bidwell moved off +with pretended reluctance, out of consideration for the feelings of +his friend, but once inside, he gave another demonstration of the +truth of his remarks concerning thirst. + +As for Ruggles, only he who has been similarly placed can appreciate +his trial. No man is so deserving of sympathy as he who is making a +resolute effort to conquer the debasing appetite that has brought him +to the gutter. + +On that fourth night the thirst of the fellow was a raging fever. He +drank copious draughts of spring water, but all the help it gave was +to fill him up. The insatiate craving remained and could not be +soothed. It seemed as if every nerve was crying out for the stimulant +which it was denied. + +"The only time I ever went through anything like this," he said to +himself, "was twenty years ago, when a party of us were lost in the +Death Valley. Three of 'em died of thirst, and I come so nigh it that +it makes me shudder to think of it even at this late day." + +A wonderful experience came to Wade Ruggles. To his unbounded +amazement, he noticed a sensible diminution, on the fifth day, of his +thirst. It startled him at first and caused something in the nature of +alarm. He feared some radical change had taken place in his system +which threatened a dangerous issue. When this misgiving passed, it was +succeeded by something of the nature of regret. One consoling +reflection from the moment his torture began, was the reward which Al +Bidwell had named, that is,--the glorious enjoyment of fully quenching +his terrific craving, but, if that craving diminished, the future +bliss must shrink in a corresponding ratio, and _that_ was a calamity +to make a man like him shudder. + +On the evening of the fifth day, he ventured for the first time during +his penal term, to enter the Heavenly Bower. He wished to test his +self-control. When he sat quietly and saw his friends imbibing, and +was yet able to restrain himself from a headlong rush to join them, he +knew that beyond all question, his fearful appetite had lost a part of +its control over him. Still he believed it was only a temporary +disarrangement, and that the following day would bring a renewal of +his thirst, with all its merciless violence. + +But lo! on the sixth morning, the appetite was weaker than ever. His +craving was so moderate that, after a deep draught of mountain spring +water, he was hardly conscious of any longing for liquor. He seemed to +be losing his memory of it. + +"I don't understand it," he mused, keeping the astonishing truth to +himself; "It's less than a week ago that I was one of the heaviest +drinkers in New Constantinople, and if anyone had told me of this, I +would have been sure he'd lost his senses, which the same may be +what's the matter with me." + +But there was no awakening of his torment during the day, and when he +lay down at night, he was disturbed by strange musings. + +"If we had a doctor in the place, I would ask him to tell me what it +means. The queerest thing 'bout the whole bus'ness is that I feel +three thousand per cent. better. I wonder if it can be on 'count of my +not swallerin' any of Ortigies' pison which the same he calls Mountain +Dew. I guess it must be that." + +But that night he was restless, and gradually his thoughts turned into +a new channel. A momentous problem presented itself for solution. + +"If I've improved so much after goin' six days without drinkin', won't +I feel a blamed sight better, if I try it for six weeks--six +months--six years--_forever_." + +And as an extraordinary, a marvelous resolution simmered and finally +crystallized, he chortled. + +"What'll the boys say? What'll the parson think? What'll I think? What +would that good old mother of mine think, if she was alive? But she +died afore she knowed what a good for nothin' man her boy turned out +to be. God rest her soul!" he added softly, "she must have prayed over +me a good many hundred times; if she's kept track of me all these +years, this is an answer to her prayers." + +Budge Isham was the partner of Wade, and shared his cabin with him. He +slept across the room, and noticed how his friend tossed and muttered +in his sleep. + +"Great Gee!" he exclaimed, "but Wade's got it pretty bad; I wonder if +it's the jim jams that is getting hold of him; I'll sleep with one eye +open, for he will need looking after. What a blessed thing it is that +he has only one more day. Then he can celebrate and be happy. I have +no doubt that by the end of another week, he will have brought things +up to their old average." + +And with this conclusion, the man who a few years before took the +first honors at Yale, shifted his position, so as to keep an eye on +his comrade, and straightway proceeded to drop into a sound slumber, +which was not broken until the sun rose on the following morning. + +The sympathy for Wade was general. Had he not insisted upon carrying +out in spirit and letter the full punishment pronounced upon him, +there would have been a unanimous agreement to commute his term by +one or two days at least; but all knew the grit or "sand" of the +fellow too well to propose it. + +His actions on the seventh day caused considerable disquietude. He had +labored in the mines, in a desultory fashion up to that time, but he +did not do a stroke of work during the concluding hours of his ordeal. +It was observed by his partner, Budge Isham, that his appetite was +unusually good and he seemed to be in high spirits. His friends +attributed this to the closeness of his reward for his abstention, but +he took several walks up the mountain side and was gone for a good +while. He wore a smiling face and Vose Adams declared that he +overheard him communing with himself, when he thought he was too far +off for the act to be noticed. + +"No use of talkin'," whispered Vose; "Wade ain't quite himself; he's a +little off and won't be exactly right till after two or three days." + +"He has my sympathy," remarked the parson, "but it will serve as a +lesson which he will always remember." + +"And won't _we_ remember it?" said Ike Hoe, with a shudder. "When +we're disposed to say one of them unproper words, the picture of that +miserable scamp going a full week without a touch of Mountain Dew, +will freeze up our lips closer than a clam." + +That night the usual group was gathered at the Heavenly Bower. There +were the same merry jests, the reminiscences, the conjectures how +certain diggings would pan out, the small talk and the general good +feeling. Common hardship and suffering had brought these rough men +close to one another. They were indulgent and charitable and each one +would have eagerly risked his life for the sake of the rest. Quick to +anger, they were equally quick to forgive, mutually rejoicing in good +fortune, and mutually sympathetic in sorrow. + +There was more than one furtive glance at Ruggles, who was among the +first arrivals. Whispers had passed around of his strange actions, and +the surprise would not have been great had it been found that he had +gone clean daft; but nothing in his manner indicated anything of that +nature. He was as full of quip and jest as ever, and none was in +higher or more buoyant spirits than he. + +He suddenly called: + +"Dawson, what time is it?" + +The latest comer among them carried a watch which he drew out and +examined. + +"It is exactly half-past nine." + +"When did my punishment begin?" + +"A week ago to-night, precisely at this hour; I began to fear that you +had forgotten it." + +"No danger of my ever forgetting it," grimly responded Ruggles; "what +I want to know is whether I have served out my full term." + +"You have unquestionably." + +"Is there anyone here disposed to dispute this statement?" asked Wade, +standing very erect and looking around in the faces of his friends. + +No one interposed an objection. He had not only the sympathy but the +respect of every one. + +"You sarved your time like a man," remarked Ike Hoe; "the week is up +and you've give good measure." + +"Which the same being the case, I invite all to come forward and +liquidate." + +Never was an invitation responded to with more enthusiasm. The +grinning Ortigies set out a couple of bottles, intending as a matter +of course to join in the celebration. He feelingly remarked: + +"Wade, my heart bled for you and thar ain't a pard here that wouldn't +have been willing to take your place--that is for a limited time," the +landlord hastened to add. + +Each tumbler was half-filled with the fiery stuff and all looked in +smiling expectancy at their host to give the cue. He poured a small +quantity into his glass, and elevating it almost to a level with his +lips, looked over the top. + +"Are you ready, pards? here goes." + +Up went every glass and down went the stuff. But there was one +exception. While the glass was at his lips, and while the familiar +odor was in his nostrils, Wade Ruggles deliberately inverted the +tumbler and emptied the contents on the floor. + +It was the strangest incident that had ever occurred in New +Constantinople. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +TEACHER AND PUPIL + + +The group looked at Wade Ruggles in breathless amazement. He had +invited them to the bar to join in celebrating his release from +thralldom; all had filled their glasses and he had raised his own to +his lips, though several noticed that there was only a small amount of +liquid in the tumbler. Then, when every glass was upraised and there +was a general gurgling, he had turned his glass upside down and +spilled every drop on the floor. + +Before anyone could think of suitable terms in which to express his +emotions, Wade said, with a smile that rather added than detracted +from his seriousness: + +"Pards, never again does a drop of that stuff go down my throat! I've +suffered hell, but I've come out of the flames, and the one that +fetched me through is the little gal which lays asleep in the next +room." + +He did not attempt to deliver a temperance lecture to his friends, nor +did they trifle with him. They questioned him closely as to how he had +reached this extraordinary decision, and he gave a vivid and truthful +account of his experience. It made several of the men thoughtful, but +most of them felt dubious about his persistence in the new path he had +laid out for himself. + +"You know, boys, whether I've got a will of my own," he quietly +replied; "just wait and see how this thing comes out." + +It was noticed that Parson Brush was the most interested inquirer, +and, though he had comparatively little to say, he left the Bower +unusually early. He had begun his system of instruction with Nellie +Dawson, and reported that she was making remarkably good progress. Had +the contrary been the fact, it may be doubted whether it would have +been safe for him to proclaim it. + +And now the scene changes. It is the close of a radiant summer day in +the Sierras. Far down in the canyon-like chasm between the mountainous +spurs, nestled the little mining settlement, which had been christened +but a short time before, New Constantinople. Here and there tiny +wounds had been gouged into the ribs of the mountain walls, and the +miners were pecking away with pick and shovel, deepening the hurts in +their quest for the yellow atoms or dark ore which had been the means +of bringing every man thousands of miles to the spot. + +Far up toward the clouds were the towering, craggy peaks, with many a +rent and yawn and table-land and lesser elevation, until, as if to +check the climbing ambition of the prodigious monster, nature had +flung an immense blanket of snow, whose ragged and torn edges lapped +far down the sides of the crests. Ages ago the chilling blanket was +tucked around the mountain tops, there to remain through the long +stretch of centuries to follow. + +Down the valley, at the bottom of the winding canyon, the air +palpitated with the fervor of the torrid zone. He who attempted to +plod forward panted and perspired, but a little way up the mountain +side, the cool breath crept downward from the regions of perpetual ice +and snow, through the balsamic pines and cedars, with a revivifying +power that was grateful to all who felt its life-giving embrace. + +The sun hovered in a sky of unclouded azure. It shot its arrows into +the gullies, ravines and gorges, but made no impression on the frozen +covering far up in cloudland itself. Long pointed ravelings on the +lower edge of the mantle showed where some of the snow had turned to +water, which changed again to ice, when the sun dipped below the +horizon. + +The miners were pigmies as they toiled in the sides of the towering +mountain walls, where they had toiled for many a day. On the lip of a +projecting crag, half a mile above were three other pigmies, who +neither toiled nor spun. Viewed through a glass, it was seen that they +wore stained feathers in their black hair dangling about their +shoulders, with the blankets wrapped round their forms descending to +their moccasined feet. They were watching in grim silence these proofs +of the invasion of their homes by the children of another race, and +mayhap were conjuring some scheme for driving them back into the great +sea across which they had sailed to occupy the new land. + +One of the Indians was a chieftain. He had come in violent contact +with these hated creatures and he bore on his person the scars of such +meeting. All carried bows and arrows, though others of their tribe had +learned the use of the deadly firearms, which has played such havoc +with the American race. + +Suddenly the chief uttered an exclamation. Then drawing an arrow from +the quiver over his shoulder, he fitted it to the string of his long +bow, and pointing downward toward the group of miners, launched the +shaft. Except for the power of gravity, it would have been a foolhardy +effort, but guided by the wisp of feather twisted around the reed, the +missile spun far outward over the canyon, and dived through the vast +reach of space, as if it were endowed with life and determined to seek +out and pierce the intruders. The black eyes of the three warriors +followed the arrow until it was only a flickering speck, far below +them; but, before that moment arrived, they saw that it was speeding +wide of the mark. When at last, the sharp point struck the flinty +rock, and the missile doubled over upon itself and dropped harmlessly +to the bottom of the canyon, it was at such a distance from the miners, +that they knew nothing of it. They never looked up, nor were they +aware of the futile anger of the red men, who seeing how useless was +everything of that nature, turned about and soon passed from view. + +The incident was typical of the futility of the red man struggling +against his inevitable doom at the hands of his white brother. + +Half way between the bottom of the canyon and the lower fringe of the +vast mantle of snow, a waterfall tumbled over the edge of a rock, and +with many a twist and eddy found its way to the small stream, which +rippled along the bottom of the gorge, until its winding course +carried it beyond sight. Now and then a rift of wind blew aside some +of the foam, like a wisp of snow, and brought the murmur more clearly +to the ear of the listener, shutting out for the time, the faint +hollow roar that was wafted from the region of pines and cedars. It +was a picture of lonely grandeur and desolation, made all the more +impressive by the tiny bits of life, showing in the few spots along +the mountain wall. + +[Illustration: THE TEACHER HAD MARKED ON THE DARK FACE OF THE ROCK WITH A +SPECIES OF CHALK ALL THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.--PAGE 71.] + +At the rear of the row of cabins, and elevated perhaps fifty feet +above, was the comparatively smooth face of a rock, several square +rods in extent. At the base was abundant footing for two persons, +Parson Brush and Nellie Dawson. The teacher had marked on the dark +face of the rock with a species of chalk, all the letters large and +small of the alphabet. They were well drawn, for the parson, like +others in the settlement, was a man of education, though his many +years of roughing it had greatly rusted his book knowledge. + +Standing to one side of his artistic work, like a teacher of the olden +time, the parson, with a long, trimmed branch in his hand, pointed at +the different letters in turn and patiently waited for his little +pupil to pronounce their names. + +It never would have done to make the child keep her feet like an +ordinary mortal. With great labor, three of the miners had carried a +stone of considerable size to the spot, which served her as a seat, +while receiving instruction. It is true that she never sat still for +more than three minutes at a time, but that was enough to establish +the indispensable necessity of a chair. + +"You are doing very well, my dear," said the parson, encouragingly; +"you have received only a few lessons, but have mastered the alphabet. +I notice that the 'd's' and 'b's' and 'h's' and 'q's' puzzle you a +little now and then, but you have got them straight, and it is now +time that we took a lesson in spelling." + +"Oh, I can't do that, Mr. Brush," protested the queen, rising from +the chair, adjusting her skirts and sitting down again; "I never can +spell." + +"What is it to spell?" + +"I don't know; what is it?" + +"I can best answer your question by showing you. Have you ever seen a +cat?" + +"Do you mean a pussy?" + +"Yes; some folks call it that." + +"Oh, yes; when we came from where we used to live,--I guess it must +have been three or four hundred years ago, we brought my pussy along. +Her name was Nellie, the same as mine." + +"What became of her?" + +"She died," was the sorrowful reply; "I guess she was homesick." + +"That was too bad. Now will you tell me what letter that is?" + +"Why, Mr. Brush, don't you know?" + +"Yes, but I wish to find out whether you know." + +"It is C; anybody knows that." + +"And this one?" + +"A." + +"That is right; now this one?" + +"T; I hope you will remember, Mr. Brush, because I don't like to tell +you so often." + +The teacher continued to drill her, skipping about and pointing at the +letters so rapidly in turn that he was kept bowing and straightening +up like a jumping-jack. Then, allowing her to rest, he pronounced the +letters in their regular order, giving them the sounds proper to the +word itself. Nellie, who was watching closely and listening, suddenly +exclaimed with glowing face: + +"Why, that's 'cat'!" + +"Of course; now can you say the letters without looking at them?" + +After one or two trials she did it successfully. + +"There! you have learned to spell 'cat.' You see how easy it is." + +"Does that spell 'pussy' too?" + +"No,--only 'cat.' After a time you will be able to spell big words." + +"Let me try something else, Mr. Brush." + +The next word tackled was 'dog,' which was soon mastered. When this +was accomplished, the teacher paused for a moment. He was trying to +think of another word of three letters, but oddly enough could not +readily do so. + +"Ah," he exclaimed, "here is another. Now give me the name of that +letter," + +"D." + +"And that?" + +"A." + +"And that?" + +"M." + +"Now say them quickly, 'd-a-m;' what is the word?" + +"Why, it's 'dam'; O, Mr. Brush, I heard you say that is a bad word." + +The teacher was thunderstruck and stammered: + +"I didn't think of that, but there are two kinds of 'dam' and this one +is not a bad word. It means a bank of earth or stones or wood, that is +put up to stop the flow of water." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PUPIL AND TEACHER + + +Mr. Brush glanced nervously around, to learn whether any of his +friends were within hearing, shuddering to think what the consequences +might be. He believed that he could explain the matter to some of the +folks, but the majority were so radical in their views that they would +refuse to admit the distinction, and would take him to task for +teaching improper language to his young pupil. It caused him another +shudder at the thought that the same penalty that Wade Ruggles had +undergone might be visited upon him, though it is doubtful if the +issue would have been similar. + +"Ahem, Miss Nellie, when we go back home, will you promise me to say +nothing about this part of your lesson?" + +"You mean 'bout that bad word?" + +"Yes,--let's forget all about it." + +"I'll try, but mebbe I'll forget to forget it." + +"Likely enough," gloomily reflected the parson; "suppose we try some +other words. Ah, we have a visitor." + +At that moment Budge Isham climbed into view and sauntered smilingly +toward them. Brush added a whispered warning to the little one not to +forget her promise, though, since Isham was an educated man, there +ought not to have been anything to fear in his case, but the teacher +knew his waggish nature, and had good reason to fear the mischief he +would delight in creating. + +"Good day," was his cheery greeting, as he came up; "I hope I am not +intruding, but I thought I should like to see how you are getting on, +Nellie." + +"Oh, Mr. Brush says I am learning real fast; I can spell 'cat,' and +'dog,' and 'dam.'" + +Budge raised his hands in horror. + +"What in the name of heaven, parson, does she mean?" + +"Mr. Isham," said the gentleman, severely, "are you aware that you are +using improper language in the presence of this young lady?" + +"Explain yourself." + +"It is wrong for you to appeal to heaven on so trifling a question; it +is such a near approach to profanity that the dividing line is +imperceptible. I am sorry you forgot yourself, but I will overlook it +this time." + +Budge was really frightened, for though the distinction was quite +fine, he felt there was some justice in the position of the parson, +but he bluffed it out. + +"I doubt whether a jury would find me guilty, and in the meantime +explain the remark just made by Nellie, if you please." + +Thus cornered, the parson made a clean breast of it. Isham assumed a +grave expression. + +"The only criticism I can make is upon your taste in selecting a word, +susceptible of a questionable meaning. You know as well as I that if +this should be submitted to a jury at the Heavenly Bower this evening, +the majority would sit down on you, and it would be hard work for you +to escape the penalty." + +"I'm afraid it would," responded the parson; "it was a piece of +forgetfulness on my part----" + +"Which is the plea that Bidwell and Ruggles made, but it didn't +answer. However, I'll say nothing about it, knowing you will be more +careful in the future, while I shall not forget to put a bridle on my +own tongue. The trouble, however," he added with a smile, "is to make +_her_ overlook it." + +"She has promised she will do so." + +"Since that promise was made just before I got here, she has shown how +readily she can forget it." + +"I will give her a longer lesson than usual and thus drive all +remembrance out of her mind," said the parson resolutely. + +Budge Isham folded his arms, prepared to look on and listen, but the +queen of the proceedings checked it all by an unexpected veto. + +"Mr. Brush, I feel so tired." + +Her face wore a bored expression and she looked wistfully away from +the blackboard toward the cabins below them. + +"Does your head hurt you?" inquired the teacher with much solicitude, +while the single auditor was ready to join in the protest. + +"No, but mebbe it will hurt me one of these days." + +"It isn't wise, parson, to force the child; a great deal of injury is +done to children by cramming their heads with useless knowledge." + +The teacher could not feel sure that this counsel was disinterested, +for there could be no danger of his taxing the mental powers of the +little one too severely, but her protest could not pass unheeded. + +"You have done very well, my child; you are learning fast, so we'll +leave the spelling for to-morrow. Suppose we now try the commandments: +can you repeat the first one?" + +Nellie gave it correctly, as she did with slight assistance, the +remaining ones. She was certainly gifted with a remarkable memory and +possessed an unusually bright mind. Budge Isham was impressed by her +repetition of the decalogue, whose meaning she was unable fully to +grasp. His frivolous disposition vanished, as he looked upon the +innocent child and watched the lips from which the sacred words +flowed. He quietly decided that it would be inexcusably mean to seek +any amusement at the expense of the parson, and it may as well be +added that he never afterward referred to the incident, while it +seemed to have passed wholly from the mind of Nellie herself. At the +conclusion of the lesson, Budge complimented teacher and pupil and +said he would be glad to certify that Mr. Brush was the best teacher +in New Constantinople, and that it was impossible for any one to take +his place. Then he bade them good day and walked thoughtfully away, +leaving them once more to themselves. + +These were the most precious moments of all to the teacher, when the +formal lesson was completed, and he sat down for a little talk with +his pupil. He occupied the stone which served her for a seat, while +one arm loosely clasped the figure which stood between his knees. She +patted his cheek, played with his rough collar and shaggy whiskers, +while as he listened and replied to her prattle, felt as never before +the truth of the declaration that of such is the kingdom of heaven. + +"Mr. Brush," she finally said, "do you know why I love you?" + +"I suppose it must be because I am so handsome," he replied with a +smile. + +"No; it isn't that, for you _ain't_ handsome." + +"Whew! but you are not afraid to speak the truth, little one, and I +hope you will always do that. No; I don't know why you love me, +unless you are so good yourself that you can't help it." + +This was not exactly clear to the little one, and she stood silent for +a minute, gently fingering his long beard. Then she thought it best to +clear up the mystery without further parley. + +"I love you 'cause you're good." + +Even though the avowal was delightful, it caused a pang, like a +knife-thrust from his accusing conscience. + +"I am thankful to hear you say that, but, Nellie, I am not good." + +"Yes, you is, but if you ain't good, why ain't you good?" + +The logic of the reply of the adult was of the same grade as that of +the child. + +"I suppose the true reason is because I am bad. I am sorry to say it, +but I have drifted far away from where I ought to be." + +The dimpled hand continued to fondle the whiskers, and the little +brain was busy, but a wisdom that was more than human guided it. +Turning those lustrous blue eyes upon him she softly asked: + +"Will you do what I ask you?" + +He almost gasped, for he instinctively suspected what was coming, but +he answered without hesitation: + +"If it is my power I will do it, though it kills me." + +"Oh, I don't want it to kill you; this won't hurt you; will you do it, +Mr. Brush?" + +"Yes, God helping me." + +"Do like Mr. Ruggles." + +"How's that?" asked the parson with a sinking heart. + +"Don't drink any more of that red water, which makes men talk loud and +sometimes say bad words." + +"Heavens!" thought the parson; "she little dreams what she is asking +me, but it is not she but some One who is thus calling me back to +duty. Yes, my child, I will do what you ask." + +"You is as good and nice as you can be now, but then you will be a +good deal gooder and nicer," said she, warmly kissing him. + +"I hope so," he added, rising to his feet, with the feeling that he +was not himself but some one else, and that that some one else was the +young man away among the distant hills of Missouri, before he wandered +to the West, and in doing so, wandered from the path along which he +had attempted to guide and lead others. + +"I call myself her teacher," he mused, as he reached down and took the +tiny hand in his own, "but she is the teacher and I am the pupil." + +They had started in the direction of the cabins, when they heard +curious shouts and outcries in that direction. "There's something +strange going on down there," he said, peering toward the point; "I +wonder what it can be; let us hurry and find out." + +Firmly clasping her hand, the two hastened down the incline, wondering +what it was that caused all the noise and confusion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE PASSING YEARS + + +THE excitement in New Constantinople was caused by the arrival of Vose +Adams, the mail carrier and messenger, with his budget of letters and +freight for the Heavenly Bower. + +These periodical journeys never occupied less than two weeks, and in +the present instance he had been absent several days beyond that +period, so that some anxiety was felt for him, since every trip was +attended with more or less danger. He was exposed to the peril of +storms, snowslides, wild animals and hostile Indians. The elemental +disturbances in the Sierras are sometimes of a terrific nature. Twice +he had lost a mule, and once both animals went spinning down a +precipice for a thousand feet, in an avalanche of snow and were never +found again. Vose's only consolation in the last instance was that it +occurred when on his way to Sacramento, while in the former case he +saved one of the precious kegs, which he insisted was the means of +saving him in turn from perishing in the Arctic temperature. + +The shadowy trail wound in and out among the gorges and canyons, +beside towering mountain walls, at a dizzying elevation, over ridges +above the snow line, across table lands, through forests of pine and +cedar and tumultuous mountain torrents, where he took his life in his +hands every time he made the venture. + +The unerring marksmanship of Vose and his alertness reduced the danger +from the fierce grizzly bears and ravening mountain wolves to the +minimum, but the red men were an ever present peril. He had served as +the target of many a whizzing arrow and stealthy rifle shot, but thus +far had emerged with only a few insignificant hurts. He was ready at +the stated times to set out on his journey, and appeared indeed to +welcome the change in the existence which otherwise became tiresome +and monotonous. It mattered not that his friends often intimated that +he was starting on his last venture of that nature, for he believed +that his "time" had been set and it mattered naught what he did, since +it could not be changed. + +Vose explained that the cause of his last delay was the old +one--Indians. They had pursued and pestered him so persistently that +he was compelled to hunt out a new trail, longer and more difficult +that the old one, and which came within a hair of landing him into the +very camp of his enemies. However, everything had turned out well, and +he brought with him the most prized cargo that ever arrived in New +Constantinople. + +First of all, were the two casks of freight, which had suffered so +slight leakage, that Landlord Ortigies complimented the vigilance of +the messenger. Then he brought with him fully a hundred letters and +newspapers. Each citizen received one, and many had several. In every +instance, the grateful recipient paid Vose a dollar for his mail, so +that the reward was generous, including as it did a liberal honorarium +from the proprietor of the Heavenly Bower. + +In addition to the mail and freight, there were a number of articles +to which no special reference is needed. In one package, however, +every one was deeply interested, and Nellie Dawson more than the +others. Unknown to the father, a goodly sum had been entrusted to +Adams, with which to purchase such articles as it was believed the +child needed. These included material for numerous new dresses of +gorgeous pattern, stockings, shoes, slippers, ribbons, hats and even +gloves, trinkets and playthings beyond enumeration. + +When these were spread out before the little one, she clapped her +hands and danced with delight. She had never dreamed of or seen such +bewildering wealth, and the miners were repaid a hundred fold, while +the grateful parent thanked them for their thoughtful kindness. + +With no other person of her sex in the settlement, it would naturally +be thought that she lacked in many of the little attentions which only +a mother or adult female friend can give, but such was not the case. +There was not a man among them all, who had not been taught in the +hard school of necessity to become his own tailor and conservator of +clothing. Many had natural taste, and had not wholly forgotten the +education and training received in the homes of civilization, before +they became adventurers and wanderers. A consensus of views, all moved +by the same gentle impulse, resulted in Nellie Dawson being clothed in +a garb which would hardly have caused criticism in the metropolis of +our country. Not only that, but she was abundantly provided against +all kinds of weather, and with Vose Adams making his regular trips +westward, there was no possibility of her ever knowing the want of +thoughtful care. + +The education of the little one was never neglected. Enough has been +told to show her brightness, and even had not her teacher been +inspired by his affection for the little one, the task of imparting +knowledge to such an apt pupil must have been a constant pleasure. +This work, as we have shown, fell by common consent to the parson, +Felix Brush, though his choice at first was not unanimous. Wade +Ruggles was so insistent that he should have a part in the work, that +he was allowed a trial, but it cannot be said the result of several +days' effort was satisfactory. A stealthy inspection of the blackboard +by Budge Isham and the parson disclosed that Ruggles had constructed +the alphabet on a system of his own. Some of the letters were +reversed, several inverted, while the forms of others prevented any +one from identifying them except the teacher himself. + +An examination of the pupil developed the same startling originality +in Ruggles's system of orthography, which seemed to be a mixture of +the phonetic and the prevailing awkward method. Thus he insisted that +"purp" was the right way to spell the name of a young dog, whose +correct title was "dorg." Ruggles was finally persuaded to resign, +though he displayed considerable ill feeling and intimated that the +movement was inspired by jealousy of his success. + +Budge Isham not only refrained from referring to the slip which the +parson made in his spelling lesson, but spoke in such high terms of +his success with Nellie, that every one conceded the right teacher had +been selected, and it would be a misfortune for any one to assume to +take the place of the parson. + +Not until the final summing up of all accounts, will the full measure +of the influence of the little one be known. It was gentle, subtle, +almost imperceptible. Wade Ruggles never broke his resolve not to +touch liquor. Inasmuch as an appetite nourished for years, cannot be +wholly extirpated in a day, he had his moments of intense yearning for +stimulants, when the temptation was powerful, but his will was still +more so, and the time came when the terrific thirst vanished +entirely, though he knew it was simply "asleep" and could be roused +into resistless fury by indulgence in a single glass. + +The parson had a severer struggle. After holding out for days, he +yielded, and by his inordinate dissipation brought back matters to a +fair average. Then he set about manfully to retrieve himself. A second +time he fell, and then, thank heaven! he gained the mastery. +Henceforward he was safe. + +Maurice Dawson himself had been an occasional tippler for years, but +he felt the influence of example and experienced no trouble in giving +up the habit. Several others did the same, while more tried but "fell +by the wayside." + +Landlord Ortigies noticed the diminution in his receipts, but, strange +as it may sound, down in his heart he was not sorry. Like nine out of +ten engaged in his business he was dissatisfied, and like the same +nine out of ten, he longed for the chance to take up some other +calling which would bring him bread and butter and no accusing pangs +of conscience. + +Before the coming of Nellie Dawson, brawls and personal encounters +often occurred. The walls of the Heavenly Bower contained several +pounds of lead. Blood had been shed, and the history of the settlement +showed that three persons had died with their boots on, but those +stirring days seemed to have departed forever. + +Parson Brush did a good deal of thinking. When through with his pupil, +he was accustomed to take long walks into the mountains, his hands +clasped behind his back and his head bowed in meditation. It is safe +to conclude that Conscience was getting in its work with him. + +And so the seasons came and went and the years rolled on. Varick +Thomson, an old miner, who had spent years of fruitless toil in the +diggings of Australia, lay down and died, and the parson officiated at +his funeral. Two other miners grew weary of the poor success in Dead +Man's Gulch and went off on a prospecting tour deeper into the +mountains. A year later another prospecting party came upon two +skeletons, near a small stream of water, which after careful +examination, were pronounced to be those of their former friends, +doubtless victims of the ferocity of the red men. Three vagrant miners +straggled into New Constantinople one night and were hospitably +entertained at the Heavenly Bower. Their appearance was against them, +and, when they announced their intention of making their home at Dead +Man's Gulch, the suggestion to them to move on was made in such terms +that they acted upon it and were never seen there again. Thus it came +about that New Constantinople, instead of increasing in population +and making a bid for the chieftaincy among the new towns in the West, +was actually shrinking in numbers. + +And all this time, Nellie Dawson was growing fast. Her beautiful mind +kept pace with the expansion of her body. Her natural grace and +perfection of figure would have roused admiration anywhere. Her +innocence and goodness were an ever present benison to the rough +miners, who had long since learned to check the hasty word, to +restrain the rising temper and to crush the wrongful thought in her +presence. + +After a time, Maurice Dawson took possession of one of the deserted +cabins which he fitted up, or rather the community fitted up the +principal apartment for the young queen, whose rule was supreme. No +one else was permitted to share the building with them, though +visitors were constant and Nellie herself continually passed to and +fro among her friends. + +But those who watched Dawson saw that a change had come over him. +Formerly there was a quiet waggery in his nature, much like that of +Budge Isham, which led him to enjoy the rough pleasantries of his +companions, though he rarely took part in them, except as an inciting +cause. One of his greatest pleasures had been to sit in the Heavenly +Bower and exchange reminiscences with his friends, but all that came +to an end. Night after night passed without his face being seen in +the place. Those who called at the cabin were treated hospitably, but +he was reserved and moody, and often failed to hear the words +addressed to him. It was evident that there was something on his mind, +though he showed no disposition to make a confidant of any one. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CLOUD OF WAR + + +"I KNOW the cause of Dawson's trouble," remarked Vose Adams, late one +night at the Heavenly Bower. + +"What is it?" asked Wade Ruggles, while the rest listened intently. + +"On my last trip to Sacramento, two months ago, I brought him a thick +letter: that's what is raising the mischief with him." + +"But what was in the letter to make him act so queer?" + +"How should I know? do you expect me to open and read all the letters +I bring through the mountains?" + +"Bein' as you couldn't read the big letters the parson has painted on +the side of the rock a foot high," said Al Bidwell sarcastically, +"there ain't much danger of your doin' that, which the same is lucky +for them as gits love letters like myself regular by each mail." + +"Which the same you won't git any more onless you sling your remarks a +little more keerful," warned the mail carrier. + +"And the same being that you can't read the directions writ onto +them, I don't see how you're going to help yourself." + +"The postmaster at Sacramento is very obligin'," was the significant +comment of Vose. + +Bidwell saw the dangerous ground on which he was treading, and made it +safe by a jesting remark and an invitation to Adams and the rest to +join him at the bar. + +"We was on the subject of Dawson," remarked Ruggles from his seat, for +all had learned long before of the uselessness of inviting him to +drink; "and it's the opinion of Vose, I understand, that it was the +letter that has made the change in him." + +"There ain't any doubt about it," said Adams; "fur the attack took him +right after; I noticed the difference in him the next day. He sets by +himself these evenings after the little gal has gone to bed, smoking +his pipe, without any light in his shanty, and thinking hard." + +Wade smoked thoughtfully a minute and then remarked: + +"I wonder whether it wouldn't be a good idee to app'int a committee to +wait on Dawson and ask him what the blazes is the matter and whether +we can't do nothin' to make a man of him agin." + +Since Ruggles had become accustomed to act as chairman at the +discussions in the Heavenly Bower, he had developed a strong faith in +committees. + +"That's a piece of the most onspeakable foolishness that I've run +aginst since I settled in New Constantinople," observed the landlord +with a contemptuous sniff; "the minute the committee arrove and stated +their bus'ness, Dawson would kick 'em out of his shanty and clean +across the street, and he'd be lacking in the instincts of a man if he +didn't do that same thing." + +"Mr. Ortigies forgits that I didn't mean to suggest that _he_ was to +be a member of the committee; I meant they should be _gentlemen_; +consequently that bars him out and there wouldn't be no trouble." + +"I understand your sarcasm, Wade, but your words would leave you off +the committee likewise; but may I ask what the members would ask him +when they knocked at his door?" + +"Any gentleman wouldn't be at a loss what to say, fur he would only +hev to remark sorter careless like that he had observed the man was +acting so queer that we was afeard he was troubled with remorse over +some crime he'd committed, and about which he had got notice that the +officers was lookin' fur him, but that if he'd trust us and give a +description of the officers, so there wouldn't be any mistake, we'd +watch fur 'em up the trail and pick 'em off afore they could profane +New Constantinople with their presence." + +This was a prodigious sentence for Wade, and he leaned back and smoked +his pipe with considerable self-complacency, but it impressed none of +his hearers as he expected. Parson Brush shook his head. + +"It isn't a very wise way of introducing yourself to a man by assuming +that he is a fugitive from justice. In the first place, I am sure +there is nothing of the kind in the case of Dawson. He has probably +heard some news from the East that troubles him." + +"That's just what I was sayin'," broke in Ruggles. + +"But not of the nature intimated by you." + +"What else can it be?" + +"It might be one of a dozen things; I know you are all wrong in your +guesses." + +Every eye was fixed upon the parson, for all were anxious to learn at +what he was hinting. His face was unusually grave, but he stopped +speaking, as if he deemed it indiscreet to say anything more. He +noticed the looks and whetted the curiosity by adding: + +"I have been so disturbed over the change in Dawson that I called on +him last night and had a talk with him." + +"And what did you learn?" asked Budge Isham, the moment Brush showed +an inclination to stop talking. + +"Well, it was hard work to draw him out, but finally he told me he had +received a letter from the East, which made him think he would have to +leave us. That isn't the worst." + +All were breathless, afraid to give utterance to the dread that until +then was vague and indistinct in their minds. + +"He thinks he must take his daughter Nellie with him." + +"What! Take her away from us? That can never be allowed." + +None felt the anguish of the announcement keener than the man who made +it, but he looked calmly into the angry faces and said: + +"You forget, my friends, that she is his child and he has the moral +and legal right to do what he thinks is best for her." + +"But where are _our_ rights?" demanded Wade Ruggles; "they mustn't be +forgot." + +"We haven't any,--not a single one. But I am satisfied that one cause +of Dawson's distress of mind is the very question you have asked. He +can never cease to be deeply grateful to all of us for what we have +done for him and his child. He doesn't wish to take her away for it +will be as painful to her as to us. But friends," continued the +parson, with a sense of right that was creditable to him, "Dawson's +first duty is to his child. She is now twelve years old, quite a large +girl and is growing fast. She has never seen girl or woman since she +was brought here; she will soon be a young woman; she requires +association with others of her own sex; her welfare demands this; her +education and proper training can never be obtained in this mining +settlement." + +"Eddycation!" exclaimed Vose Adams; "what have you been doing with her +all this time? She must be as far along in her studies and eddycation +as me and Ruggles." + +"It is to be hoped so," replied the parson with a smile; "I doubt +whether she will meet any one of her age as proficient in book +learning as herself, but there remains music, etiquette, and above +all, the social customs and accomplishments which can be acquired +nowhere except in the abode of civilization. There is none upon whom +this blow will fall more heavily than myself, but I have no right to +interpose when a man is doing his duty." + +An exploding bomb could not have caused more consternation than the +news brought by the parson. Every one felt the truth of his words and +respected him for their utterance, but it was like asking them to +consent to the blotting of the sun from the heavens. + +"I see a way out of it," finally remarked Wade Ruggles with a +brightening face; "we can compermise." + +"In what way?" + +"Why, if Dawson feels that he and the gal must go, let him split the +difference atween us; he can go and leave her; that will satisfy +everybody." + +"It will hardly satisfy him, since the whole question is that of +taking her with him. He must be left free to do whatever he chooses." + +The parson looked into the gloomy faces turned toward him. + +"Boys, you have all heard the news brought by the last papers. Fort +Sumter has been fired on; President Lincoln has called for volunteers; +the Southern Confederacy has been declared and civil war has begun. It +is the intention of Dawson to offer his services to the cause of the +Union." + +"And I shall enlist too," declared Wade Ruggles, compressing his lips, +"but it will be on the other side." + +"I'm with you," added Budge Isham; "I am from Alabama, and if she +secedes, as she is sure to do, I am ready to lay down my life in her +defence." + +"Sorry, pards, but that shoves me into the Union army," remarked Al +Bidwell, puffing quietly at his pipe; "we must keep the balance right, +but we'll part friends here and we'll be friends till we shoulder our +muskets. Then we'll do all we can to kill each other." + +Further discussion disclosed that the citizens of New Constantinople +were about equally divided in their allegiance, but all of them were +not yet ready to take up arms in support of the cause with which they +sympathized. There were eight who announced their intention of making +their way to San Francisco, there to find the most available route to +the points necessary to reach. It was typical of that stupendous +struggle, the greatest of modern times, that four of these recruits +were ardent supporters of one cause and four equally eager to risk +their lives for the other. They were the warmest of friends and had +been for years, willing to face any danger for the sake of the +remainder. It would be the same until they parted, and then, as one of +them had already expressed it, they would devote every energy to +trying to kill one another. + +None of the volunteers faltered until Maurice Dawson decided to leave +his daughter at the settlement until his return, if so be he should be +permitted to return. He knew of no better or safer place for her, nor +of any friends to whose care he would more cheerfully commit her, in +case it should be his lot to fall on the field of battle. + +It had been Parson Brush's intention to be Dawson's comrade in his +perils, but when the father begged him to stay behind to look after +his child he consented. And so the programme, so fraught with +momentous consequences, was arranged. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE BLUE AND THE GRAY + + +The four years of stupendous war came to an end. The sun of the +Southern Confederacy went down in gloom and defeat behind the hills of +Appomattox, never to rise again, and blessed peace brooded over a +reunited nation, which shall endure through the coming ages to the end +of time. + +It was only the faint echoes of the mighty struggle that, faintly +reverberating across prairie and mountain, reached the little mining +settlement nestling among the solitudes of the Sierras. Vose Adams +made more frequent journeys to Sacramento, in order to gather news of +the terrific events, which were making history at an appalling rate. +Upon his return, the miners gathered round Parson Brush, or some other +one with a good voice, who stood up, with every eye centred on him and +every ear keyed to the highest point and they listened with breathless +interest until the thrilling story was read through to the end. + +The same diversity of sentiment that appeared at first continued to +the last, but the parson's earnest words and his insistence that no +quarrels should take place among the neighbors prevented any +outbreak, though more than once the point was perilously near. + +"If your sympathies are with the Union or with the South," he said +impressively, "there is nothing to prevent your taking up arms, but it +must be on the battle field and not here." + +And this wise counsel prevailed. Now and then some ardent partisan +shouldered his rifle, bade his friends a hasty good-by and hurried +away. One by one, they went until the new recruits numbered five. Thus +the population of New Constantinople dwindled to about one-half, and +retaining its exclusive tastes, permitted no new comers to join them, +so that the boom which in its early days was so confidently looked for +sank to zero and vanished. In truth it looked as if New Constantinople +was doomed to die of dry rot. + +Strange news came now and then from the men who had gone to the war. +Maurice Dawson wrote often to his daughter Nellie, whose letters, it +can well be understood were the bright spots in his life of adventure +and danger. She had improved wonderfully under the careful tuition of +Parson Brush, who, gaining experience, as he saw the brightness of her +mind, found his work of the most pleasant nature conceivable. She +displayed a thirst for knowledge and made advances which astonished +him. The books needed for her instruction were procured by Vose Adams +in Sacramento, and she valued such presents more than anything else. +The teacher declared many a time, with a certain pride, that she put +him upon his mettle to make clear the abstruse problems with which he +wrestled when in college. + +"How she will surprise the boys and her father when they come back," +reflected the parson; "it won't take her much longer to reach the +point beyond which I cannot lead her." + +To her friends who remained, the growth and improvement of the girl +were astonishing. Probably no one of her sex ever gave nature itself a +better chance to show what she can do with a healthy frame, when +untrammeled by the fashions and requirements of modern usages. Her +lithe, comely figure was perfect. She never knew an hour's illness. +The cheeks had the rose tint of health, the eyes were clear, the teeth +perfect and her spirits buoyant. As one of the men expressed it, she +was like a burst of sunshine in the settlement. + +But Parson Brush was thoughtful. He saw that she was crossing the line +into young womanhood, and that her own interests demanded that she +should go out into the world of which he had told her so much; that +she should meet those of her own sex and learn the mysteries of her +own being. The affection of her friends could not make up for this +lack. It cost the honest fellow many a pang when he thought of this, +but his consolation lay in the inevitable conclusion that nothing +could be done until the return of her parent or until his wishes were +made known. + +"If it so happens that he shall fall in battle, then a grave problem +must be met. It will not do for her to remain here; I will talk it +over with the others and we shall make some arrangement for her good," +and with this conclusion he was content to await the issue of events. + +Occasionally the parson received a letter from the father. The +missives were models in their way, telling of his experiences in the +service of the battles, of the prospect of victory and his faith in +the final triumph of the great struggle. He thanked the teacher for +his interest in his child and assured him that his kindness would +never be forgotten by father or daughter. + +Vose Adams continued his frequent journeys to Sacramento, for those +were stirring times and he was as anxious as his friends for news. +Always on his return he was met by Nellie some distance down the +winding trail, and, as soon as she was in sight, he held up the plump +letter for which she yearned, and over which she was made happy beyond +expression, and he never failed to carry back with him the reply of +the child, who knew how much it cheered the brave soldier in the +distant East and South fighting the battles of his country. + +For two years and more there was not a break in this correspondence. +Dawson must have been a good soldier, for, though he enlisted as a +private, he was soon promoted, and before the close of the two years, +was a full fledged captain, with the brevet of major. It was about +this time that one of his letters gave the story of Gettysburg. In the +hell-blast of Pickett's charge two of his old friends, who had left +New Constantinople to fight for the South, were riddled, and another, +marching at the captain's side, had his head blown off by an exploding +shell. Thus in one engagement three of the old residents of the mining +settlement were wiped out. + +Only once or twice was any news received of Al Bidwell. It was known +that Ruggles was with the Army of Northern Virginia, but no tidings +came of Budge Isham and Ike Hoe. The continued silence was accepted as +almost certain proof of their death, and yet both were well and +unharmed. + +One day in early summer, two sunburned, shaggy men rode down the +mountain side and drew up their horses in front of the Heavenly Bower. +They had ridden from the East and had come through many hardships and +dangers. One of them wore a partial uniform of blue, while the other +was of a faded, butternut tinge. The two had been engaged for years in +trying to slay each other, inclusive of their respective friends, but +failing in the effort, gave it up when the final surrender took place +at Appomattox. Both were from New Constantinople, and they now turned +their faces in that direction. Starting from widely separated points +their lines of travel converged and finally joined. When they met, +there was a moment of mutual sharp scrutiny, then an exclamation of +delight, a fervent handclasp and a moistening of the eyes, as both +exclaimed: + +"God bless you, old boy! There's no one in the world I would rather +meet than you! Shake again!" + +And they did, and henceforward they followed the same trail and "drank +from the same canteen." They shared their rations with each other, and +in the regions of the West, where danger lurked in the air, one +watched while the other slept, ready to interpose his body as a shield +between peril and his comrade. + +And what splendid soldiers the Civil War made! How those veterans +could fight! What pluck, what coolness, what nerve, what daring they +displayed! There was one stormy night beyond the Mississippi, when a +band of jayhawkers, believing the two men carried a few hundred +dollars, formed a plan for shooting both for the sake of the plunder. +There were six of the outlaws at the opening of proceedings, but at +the close just half the number was left, and one of them carried away +a wound with him, from which he could never recover, while the +defenders did not receive a scratch. + +"When I heard that rebel yell of yours," remarked the veteran who wore +the blue, "it tingled through my veins as it did at Chancellorsville, +Antietam and various other scenes of unpleasantness. I couldn't help +sailing in." + +"I didn't mean to let out the yawp," returned his companion, "but when +the shooting began, it was so like old times I couldn't help it. It +was real enjoyable." + +"Yes," was the dry response, "but rather more so for us than for the +other fellows." + +Three days later a band of Indians concluded to try their hand upon +the veterans, but the trouble was that the red men could not get a +fair chance. Before they arrived within effective striking distance, +the veterans began shooting, and whenever they shot somebody fell. The +thing became so monotonous that the hostiles gave it up in disgust and +drew off. Thenceforward the old soldiers had comparatively an easy +time of it. + +And so, after a ride of more than two thousand miles on horseback, +these two men entered Dead Man's Gulch and drew rein in front of the +Heavenly Bower. Their coming caused a sensation, for their looks +showed they were veterans of the war and were certain to bring +important news. The couple smiled and whispered to each other, for +they saw that no one suspected their identity. + +Among the wondering group that gathered round was Nellie Dawson. She +was profoundly interested, for Vose Adams had made two journeys to and +from Sacramento without bringing a letter from her father. Doubtless +these men could tell her something, and she stood on the edge of the +group, waiting for them to speak and for the opportunity to question +them. + +"Do you see her?" whispered one of the men. + +"Yes; gracious! hasn't she grown? Why, she was a little girl when we +left and now she's a young woman." + +"Blessed if she isn't! She wears such long dresses that you can see +only the tiny toes of her shoes; we've obsarved a good many purty +women since we left these parts, but nothing that could come up to +her." + +"You can bet your life! She hasn't any idee of who we are, nor +have the boys, but it looks to me as if the parson is a little +suspicious." + +Although the patronage of the Heavenly Bower had shrunk a good deal, +Landlord Ortigies was as genial and hospitable as ever. The new +arrivals had time only for a few secret comments, when he came +forward: + +"Strangers, you're welcome to the best we have, which isn't anything +to boast of; look as if you had rid a good many miles and you must be +as tired and thirsty as your animals. If you'll turn 'em over to Vose +Adams, he'll 'tend to them, and, if you'll allow me, you shall have a +good meal, which before the same, I beg to tender you some distilled +home brewed Mountain Dew." + +Thanking the landlord for his offer, the men dismounted and waited +outside, while he brought forth two glasses, half-filled with the +fiery stuff of the poetical name. One of the men took his and eagerly +swallowed it. The other held his aloft, where under the bright +sunlight it glowed crimson like blood. With his hand motionless for a +moment, he slowly inverted the glass and allowed the liquid to run out +on the ground. + +"Max, I reckon you haven't forgot when I done something like that some +four years ago," said the man, turning toward the astonished host. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +WAITING + + +"Wade Ruggles, as I'm alive!" exclaimed the delighted landlord, +rushing forward and grasping his hand. Instantly the group closed in, +and there was such laughing and handshaking that for a time nothing +was clearly distinguished. + +"I was suspicious," remarked the parson; "but, though you both had +beards when you went away, these have grown so much that they have +greatly altered your appearance." + +He scanned the other man closely, but before the parson had identified +him, several others had done so. + +"It's Al Bidwell!" + +"Yes," replied the laughing Ruggles; "that's the fellow, but I'm sorry +to say that since they made a major-general of him, he's become a +reg'lar dude. He doesn't go out when it rains for fear of soiling his +uniform, and the noise of powder makes him sick, so be careful how you +handle the delicate fellow." + +"Well, you do not need to be told," was the hearty response of the +parson, "that no one could be more welcome than you; let's shake hands +all around again." + +It was some minutes before the flurry was over, for the delight on +both sides was unbounded and the joy of the reunion great. + +One member of the group lingered in the background. Her face was +flushed with delighted expectancy, but with a coyness unknown in her +earlier years, she hesitated on the outer edge of the circle. She +could not mingle with the rush and waited until the flurry was over. +The men were scarcely less embarrassed than she, and while not +appearing to see her, both were watching her every movement. When the +time came that the meeting could no longer be delayed, Ruggles walked +to her and extended his hand. + +"Well, Nellie, aren't you glad to see me?" + +The crinkling of the whiskers at the side of the invisible mouth +showed that he was laughing, and indeed his white teeth gleamed +through his wealth of beard. Nellie promptly advanced and met him half +way. + +"Mr. Ruggles, I can't tell you how glad I am to meet you again." + +He had been asking himself whether it would do to kiss this vision of +loveliness. He wished to do so, but was afraid. However, the question +was settled by the girl, who, instead of taking the hand, flung her +arms about his neck and saluted him fervently, that is as well as she +could under the conditions. + +Al Bidwell came forward and was received in the same manner. Then, as +the two men stepped back and looked admiringly at her, she said: + +"I can see you are the same and yet those beards make you look +different; I love to think of you as you were when you bade us good-by +and rode off four years ago." + +"We shall be glad to fix up our faces in the old style," said Ruggles, +while his companion nodded assent. If she had asked them to cut off +their heads they would have unhesitatingly agreed to do it. + +"No doubt we've changed somewhat," said Bidwell, "but not one half so +much as you." + +"As I!" she repeated in astonishment; "why, I am just the same," and +she looked down at her dress, as if seeking the explanation of his +remark; "I haven't changed a bit." + +"Not in goodness and all that sort of thing, but we left a little girl +and now I'm blessed if we don't find a young woman, and yet it's the +same little girl after all." + +The maidenly blush darkened her face and she laughed. + +"You couldn't expect me to stand still all these years." + +"No; though we would have been glad if you had done so." + +The three were standing apart, the others with commendable delicacy +leaving them to themselves. Nellie laid her arm on the sleeve of +Ruggles, and looking up yearningly in his face she asked: + +"Can you give me any news of father?" + +"Being as him and me was on different sides, I haven't seen or heard a +thing of him since we parted in San Francisco, but I hope all has gone +well with him." + +She turned to Bidwell, who said: + +"Me and him was thrown together once or twice and I met him after +Gettysburg, where neither of us got a scratch, which is more than tens +of thousands of others can say. Then I seen him in front of +Petersburg, where we had the same good luck agin, but in the fighting +round there we lost track of each other. Are you worried about him, +little gal?" + +"Very much," she mournfully replied; "never once did Vose Adams come +back from Sacramento without one or two letters from him, but he has +now done so twice, and I haven't heard a word. I fear father is dead; +if he is, my heart is broken and I shall die too." + +What could they say to cheer her, for Vose Adams made still another +journey westward with the same dismal emptiness of the mail bag, so +far as she was concerned. Every one did his utmost to cheer her, but +none succeeded. The ground taken was that the parent had set out on +his return, but had been hindered by some cause which would be +explained when he finally arrived. When not one of the men himself +believed the story, how could he hope to make the mourning daughter +believe it? + +Felix Brush took a different stand from the others. He early settled +into the belief that Captain Dawson was dead, and that it was wrong to +encourage hope on the part of the child when the disappointment must +be more bitter in the end. + +"If you are never to see him again in this world," he said, at the +close of a sultry afternoon, as the two were seated on a rocky ledge +near the cabin in which she had made her home all alone during her +parent's long absence, "what a blessed memory he leaves behind him! +Died on the field of battle, or in camp or hospital, in the service of +his country,--what more glorious epitaph can patriot desire?" + +"If he is dead then I shall die; I shall pray that I may do so, so +that I shall soon see him again." + +"My dear child, you must show some of the courage of your parent and +prove that you are a soldier's daughter. Your blow is a severe one, +but it has fallen upon thousands of others, and they have bravely met +it. You are young; you have seen nothing of the great world around +you--" + +"I do not care to see anything of it," she interrupted with a sigh. + +"You will feel different when you have recovered from the blow. It is +an amazing world, my dear. The cities and towns; the great ocean; the +works of art; the ships and steamboats; the vast structures; the +railways; the multitudes of people; the lands beyond the seas, with +still more marvelous scenes,--all these will expand like fairy land +before you and make you wonder that you ever should have wished to +leave such a realm of beauty and miracles while in your youth." + +Nellie sat for some time in silence, and then rose to her feet with a +weary sigh. Without speaking, she turned to walk away, but not in the +direction of her own home. + +"Where are you going?" he asked. + +"To look for him," was her sorrowful reply. + +It was what he suspected and feared. He knew she had done the same +thing night after night for weeks past, even when the rains fell and +the chilling blasts made her shiver with discomfort. He could not +interpose, and with the reflection that perhaps it was as well, he +turned mournfully aside and walked slowly toward the cabins. + +Meanwhile, Nellie Dawson passed beyond the limits of the settlement +until all the houses were behind her. She did not sit down, but +folding her arms, after gathering her shawl about her, bent her gaze +upon the trail, which wound in and out at the bottom of the canyon +below, for a fourth of a mile, when a mass of projecting rocks hid it +from sight. + +Night was closing in. Already the grim walls, thousands of feet in +height, were wrapped in gloom, and few eyes beside hers could have +traced the devious mule path for more than a hundred yards from where +she stood. The clear sky was studded with stars, but the moon had not +yet climbed from behind the towering peaks, which would shut out its +light until near the zenith. + +The soft murmur of the distant waterfall, the sound of voices behind +her, the faint, hollow roar, which always is present in a vast +solitude, filled the great space around her and made the stillness +grander and more impressive. + +All this had been in her ears many a time before, and little heed did +she give to it now. Her musings were with that loved one, who had been +silent for so many weeks, and for whose coming she longed with an +unspeakable longing. She knew the course of the trail so well, though +she had never been far over it, that she was aware at what point he +must first appear, if he ever appeared, and upon that point she +centered her attention. + +"Something tells me that when father comes it will be in the night +time," she said; "I know he has tried hard to reach me, and what +could it be that held him back? I will not believe he is dead +until--" + +Her heart gave a quicker throb, for surely that was a faint sound in +the path, though too far off for her to perceive the cause. She could +not tell its precise nature, but fancied it was the footfall of some +animal. She took several quick steps forward on tiptoe, with head +extended, peering and listening, with all her senses at the highest +tension. + +Hark! she heard it again. Surely it was the noise of hoofs, for it was +repeated and the sounds ran into each other as if the animal were +trotting or galloping, or mayhap there was more than one of them. + +Yes; some one was drawing nigh on the back of horse or mule. There was +no mistaking the hoof beats, and in the gloom the figure of an animal +and his rider assumed vague form, growing more distinct each moment. +Nellie broke into a run, her arms outstretched and her hair flying. + +"Father! father! I know it is you! It is I--Nellie, your own Nellie, +who has waited so long for you! You have come at last!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOME AGAIN + + +The horseman coming up the trail had assumed definite form. Checking +his animal he sat transfixed until the flying girl was beside him. +Then he bent forward and in a choking voice, answered: + +"Yes, Nellie, it is your father! God be thanked for permitting me to +come to you again. And you are Nellie! But how grown!" + +Captain Dawson leaned over the side of his horse and, passing his +strong arm around the waist of his daughter, lifted her up in front of +him. Then he pressed his lips to hers, and half-laughing and +half-crying asked: + +"Who's the happier, you or I?" + +"You can't be any happier than I; but, father," she added in +amazement, "where is your other arm?" + +"Buried in Southern Virginia as a memento of my work for the Union, +but, my dear child, _I_ am here; isn't _that_ enough?" + +"Yes, bless your heart!" she exclaimed, nestling up to him; "it all +seems like a dream, but it _isn't_, for I can feel you. I am so +sorry," she added, noticing the sleeve pinned to his breast; "how you +must have suffered." + +"Nonsense! it isn't anything to lose an arm; it's not half so bad as +having your head blown off or both legs carried away. After going +nearly through the war without a scratch, I caught it just before +Appomattox, but thousands were less fortunate and I am thankful." + +"But why did you not write to me and tell me all this? Mr. Brush was +sure you were dead, and I know the rest thought so, too, though they +didn't talk that way." + +"I did have a close call; I got the fever while in the hospital and +didn't know so much as my own name for several weeks. Then, when well +enough to write, I concluded to come myself, believing I could keep up +with any letter and you would be gladder to see me than to receive +anything I might send." + +While these words were passing the steed remained motionless, but +Nellie had observed from the first that her parent had a companion. + +"Father," she whispered, "you have some one with you." + +"Yes, my child, I had forgotten it in my delight at meeting you." + +A horseman was sitting as motionless as a statue in the trail behind +them, the form of himself and animal clearly outlined in the +obscurity. He had not spoken nor stirred since the coming of the girl. +The head of the steed was high, but beyond and above it loomed the +head and shoulders of the man sitting upright, like an officer of +dragoons. The gloom prevented a fair view of his countenance, but +Nellie fancied he was of pleasing appearance and wore a mustache. + +Captain Dawson turned his head and looked over his shoulder, as if to +locate the man. + +"That is Lieutenant Russell; he served under me during the latter +part of the war; he is my friend, Nellie, for he saved my life. +Lieutenant," added the captain, elevating his voice, "this is my +daughter Nellie of whom you heard me speak so often." + +The young officer lifted his cap, the graceful gesture being plainly +seen and replied with a pleasant laugh. + +"Miss Dawson, I am glad to become acquainted with you and hope I shall +soon be favored with a better view." + +"And I hope to see more of the one that was the means of saving my +dear father," she was quick to reply. + +"Well, I guess that was equal on both sides, for I should never have +reached this place but for him." + +"Father, what is _that_?" abruptly asked Nellie, shrinking closer to +him; "have you a bear following you?" + +That which caused the startled question was a huge animal, which came +slowly forward from the gloom in which he had been enveloped. The +horses showed no fear of him, and he sniffed at the skirts of the +girl. + +"Don't be alarmed," replied her father; "you may consider him a lion +or tiger or both combined. He is Lieutenant Russell's dog Timon, one +of the biggest, fiercest, but most intelligent and affectionate of his +kind. We three are comrades, so you must accept him, too, as your +friend." + +The two now gave rein to their horses and within briefer time than +would be supposed, every man in New Constantinople knew of the arrival +of the couple and had given them right royal welcome. It was the most +joyous incident in the history of the little mining settlement. Every +one knew of the corroding grief of Nellie Dawson, and there was not a +heart that did not go out in sympathy to her. All were gathered around +and within the crowded quarters of the Heavenly Bower, where the two +men and Nellie ate their happy evening meal. Then the pipes were +lighted, and with the girl perched upon her father's knee, the rest +listened to his story, which he summarized, leaving the particulars +for a more convenient occasion. + +"I am sorry my long silence caused misgiving," said he looking round +in the faces of his friends, "but it could not be very well helped. +You have noticed that whereas I left New Constantinople with two arms, +I am now one short. As I told Nellie, that happened in the very last +days of the war. It was quite a loss, but you have little idea of how +soon a man can become accustomed to it. The fact is," added the +soldier, with a grim smile, "things are moving so well with me that I +wouldn't give much to have the old limb back again. I have no doubt +General Howard feels the same way." + +"The pruned oak is the strongest," observed Parson Brush. + +"Provided it isn't pruned too much. With my wound came an attack of +fever, which brought me nearer death than I ever was in battle, but I +came out of it all and here we are." + +"What route did you take, captain?" asked Wade Ruggles. + +"By steamer to the Isthmus, then up the coast to San Francisco. +There the lieutenant and I joined a party to Sacramento and each +bought a good strong horse. He had brought his dog Timon all the +way from Virginia, where he was given to him by an old friend who wore +the gray. We were hopeful of meeting Vose Adams in Sacramento, but +he had not been there for weeks. Instead of him, whom should we come +across but Ike Hoe, who was also getting ready to start for this +place. We three set out nearly ten days ago, but Ike is still in the +mountains." + +This was said with so grave a face that all knew what it meant. + +"I never heard of the Indians being so troublesome. For three days and +nights it was little else than fighting. In the darkness we would +steal off and hunt for some new way through the mountains, but it +mattered not where we went, for we were sure to run against some of +them." + +"How was it that Hoe met his death?" asked the parson. + +"It was on the third night. We hadn't seen a thing of the Indians +since the noon halt and were hopeful they had given up the hunt for +us. We hadn't eaten a mouthful for twenty-four hours and were hungry +enough to chew our boots. Ike found a place among the rocks, where a +camp fire couldn't be seen for more than a few rods and started a +blaze. The lieutenant had brought down an antelope, and if we could +get a chance to cook the steak, we were sure of the right kind of a +meal. Well, we broiled enough to give each all he wanted. Ike leaned +back with a pleasant smile on his face and remarked that it was worth +all the risk to get such a feast, when I caught the flicker of +something like the dart of a small bird between him and me. Before I +could make out what it was, Ike gave a groan, and rolling over +backward, never spoke or stirred. I saw the feathered end of an arrow +sticking up above his breast. The head had gone clean through him and +it must have split his heart in two." + +"But was neither you or the lieutenant harmed?" + +"That is the remarkable part of it. The lieutenant saw the arrow +before I did and warned me. We darted back in the darkness with our +guns ready, but saw and heard nothing more of the Indians. What was +remarkable about it was that only the single arrow should have been +launched at Ike." + +"It looks as if there was but the single Injin," suggested Bidwell. + +"That is the way we interpreted it." + +"And that was the end of your troubles with the Indians?" + +"Not quite, but they bothered us only once more and then they managed +to get us into a corner, where it would have been the last of me had +it not been for the lieutenant and Timon. I tell you----" + +The captain stopped short and smiled. He had seen the protesting +expression on the face of the young officer, and said: + +"We'll keep that story till some time when he isn't present. But there +is another fact which I observed. There are more white men in the +mountains than ever before and the numbers will increase. The close of +the war has released nearly a million soldiers, who must make a living +somehow. Some will come westward. You have preserved this place as an +exclusive residence for yourselves, but you won't be able to do it +much longer." + +All saw the truth of these words, and knew trouble would inevitably +follow the mingling of uncongenial spirits, but they concluded it +would be time enough to meet it when it came, without allowing the +fear to disturb the pleasure of the present communion. Lieutenant Fred +Russell could not fail to be an individual of keen interest to those +who had never before seen him. While the captain was talking, he sat +modestly in the background, smoking his brierwood, listening as +intently as if everything said was new to him. It was noticed that +like several of the rest, he did not drink at the bar, though he +received numerous invitations. Truth to tell, he had been quite a +drinker, but during that eventful journey through the mountains, when +Captain Dawson was talking of his daughter, as he loved to do, he +named those who had reformed as the result of Nellie's influence. The +young officer made no comment, but it struck him that if those rough, +hardy men could abstain, it ought not to be difficult for him to do +the same, and he did it. + +Few men were more prepossessing than the lieutenant. He was educated, +about twenty-four years of age, and undeniably handsome. His campaigns +of exposure, hardship and fighting had hardened his frame into the +mould of the trained athlete. The faded uniform which he still wore +became him well. The ruddy cheeks had grown swarthy and browned, but +when he removed his cap, the upper part of his forehead showed as +white and fair as that of a woman. + +His nose was slightly aquiline, just enough to give character to his +countenance, the hair which was rather scant, was dark like the +mustache and the small tuft on his chin. He wore fine, high cavalry +boots, reaching above the knees, a sword and like the captain was +armed with revolver and Winchester rifle. + +Crouched at his feet was his massive dog Timon, an object of as much +interest as his master; for, curious as it may seem, he was the only +canine ever owned in New Constantinople. He was of mixed breed, huge, +powerful and swift, seeming to combine the sagacity and intelligence +of the Newfoundland, the courage of the bull dog, the persistency of +the bloodhound and the best qualities of all of them. Seeming to +understand that he was among friends, he rested his nose between his +paws and lay as if asleep, but those who gazed admiringly at him, +noted that at intervals he opened one of his eyes as if to say: + +"Strangers, I guess it is all right, but I'm taking no chances." + +Coming with the credentials that no one else ever bore, Lieutenant +Fred Russell was sure of a warm reception at New Constantinople. The +depletion of the population had left more than one cabin vacant and +the best of these was turned over to him. In it he found cooking +utensils, rough but serviceable bedding and accommodations and much +better comforts than he was accustomed to during his campaigning. +Having no immediate relatives, he had followed the discreet course of +Captain Dawson, who deposited nearly all of his accumulated pay in a +savings institution in the East, reserving only enough to insure their +arrival on the Pacific coast. + +Russell, like so many turned from consumers into producers by the end +of hostilities, was obliged to decide upon the means of earning a +livelihood. He had begun the study of law, at the time he answered the +call for volunteers, and would have had no difficulty in taking it up +again; but, somehow or other, he did not feel drawn thitherward. He +disliked the confinements of office work and the sedentary profession +itself. He wanted something more stirring, and active, and calling for +out door life. It was when he was in this mood, that Captain Dawson +urged him to accompany him to the gold diggings in the Sierras. + +"So far as I can learn," explained the captain, "the mines haven't +panned out to any great extent, but there is no doubt that there are +millions of dollars in gold in the mountains, and if it isn't at New +Constantinople, it is not far off." + +"I shall accept your invitation," replied the junior officer, "with +the understanding that if the prospect is not satisfactory, I shall +feel at liberty to go somewhere else." + +"That's the constitutional right of every American citizen." + +"I am not as far along in years as you, but I am old enough to feel +that no person ought to fritter away the most valuable years of his +life." + +And thus it was that the lieutenant went to New Constantinople and +received the heartiest welcome from every one there. And yet among +these citizens were two that had lately become partners and sharers of +the same cabin, and who were oppressed with misgiving. + +"I tell you," said the parson late at night, when he and Wade Ruggles +were smoking in their home, with no one near enough to overhear them; +"Captain Dawson has made the mistake of his life." + +"How?" + +"In bringing Lieutenant Russell to New Constantinople." + +"I don't quite foller your meaning, parson." + +"Yes, you do; you understand it as well as myself." + +"I have a suspicion of it, but are you afraid to trust me?" + +"You ought to know better than to ask that." + +"Go ahead then and give me the partic'lars." + +"In the first place then, the lieutenant is young and good looking." + +"Unfortinitly there can't be any doubt of that." + +"Nellie Dawson has never seen a handsome young man----" + +"Exceptin' you and me, and we ain't as young as we once was." + +"She is now a young woman and ready to fall in love, and just at the +right hour, or rather the very worst hour, the captain brings the man +here." + +"You have spoke the exact thoughts I had in mind all along; you're +right, parson." + +He would have been better pleased had Ruggles contradicted him. He did +not wish to believe that which he could not help believing. + +"We must treat him well because the captain brings him and he has +saved the captain's life, but, Wade, _we must watch them both +close_." + +"I agree with you agin, but what shall we do if we find him making +love to the little gal?" + +The parson's fierce reply showed how deeply his feelings were +stirred. + +"Warn him just once!" + +"I feel as bad about it as you do, but, parson, I haven't forgot that +afore the war broke out, and we was afeard the captain meant to take +the gal away to have her eddycated, you told us it was none of our +bus'ness and he had the right to do as he thought best with his own +child." + +"All that was true at the time, but the conditions have changed." + +"_Now_ I can't foller you. 'Spose the captain is agreeable?" + +"He _won't_ be!" exclaimed Brush, who in the depth of his excitement +added an exclamation which sounded perilously like profanity. But for +the parson's intense earnestness, Ruggles would have quizzed him, but +he pitied the man and at the same time was distressed himself. + +"I hope you're right, but I doubt it. We've all felt for a good while +that sooner or later, we must lose the little one. Now that she's +growed up, the captain may feel more than ever that she must be took +off to some town where all the men ain't savages, and she can see some +of her own kind." + +"If he puts it that way, we shall have to submit. He can take her +where he wills, for my position is the same as four or five years ago, +but nobody else must take her from among us." + +Ruggles's mood was now quite similar to that of his partner. + +"If I see anything wrong in the doings of that pretty faced young +officer, I'll shoot him down like a mad dog." + +"So will I." + +The two were in the ugliest temper conceivable. They continued to +smoke, but their meditations were tumultuous and revengeful. Each +breast contained a strange disturbing secret that either would have +died before confessing, but nevertheless, it was there and had taken +ineradicable root within the past days and weeks. + +Felix Brush, as the reader knows, had been the instructor of Nellie +Dawson from infancy. He was the medium through which she had gained an +excellent book education. He had held many long confidential talks +with her. She, in her trusting innocence, had told him more of her +inmost thoughts, her self communings, her dim, vague aspirations, than +she imparted to anyone else. + +And he could not but notice her wonderful budding beauty. Surely, he +thought, such a winsome creature was never born. He had begun to ask +himself in a whispered, startled way: "Why may I not possess this +mountain flower? True, I am much her senior, but I will nourish, +protect and defend her against the world, as no younger man could or +would. She believes in my goodness, far more than I deserve. I will +cultivate the affection within her of whose nature she has as yet no +comprehension. By and by, when she is a few years older, perhaps I may +claim her. More extraordinary things have happened and are happening +every day. I have but to keep her uncontaminated from the world, of +which I have told her so much, so that when she goes forth, she shall +be under my guardianship--the most sacred guardianship of all for it +shall be that of husband." + +"Aye," he added, his heart throbbing with the new, strange hope, "all +this, please heaven, shall come to pass if things go on as they are, +and no younger man with better looks crosses my path." + +And now that younger and better looking man had crossed his path. + +The knowledge seemed to rouse all the dormant resentment of his +nature, and to undo the good that the girl herself had done in the +years that were gone. He felt that if he lost her, if his cherished +dream was to be rudely dissipated, he would go to perdition. + +And somewhat similar in range and nature were the communings of Wade +Ruggles, who until this eventful evening, had cherished a hope, so +wild, so ecstatic, so strange and so soul-absorbing that he hardly +dared to admit it to himself. At times, he shrank back, terrified at +his presumption, as does the man who has striven to seize and hold +that which is unattainable and which it would be sacrilege for him to +lay hands upon. + +"I'm three months younger than the parson," he would reflect when the +more hopeful mood was upon him; "neither of us is in danger of being +hung for our good looks, but I've got the bulge on him dead sure. I +had too much in the way of whiskers to suit the little one, when I +came back from the war; she wanted to see me as I was when I left; +_why was that_?" + +After pausing for a reply, he continued: + +"So accordin' I trimmed 'em off and she says I'm better looking than +ever, and what she says in Dead Man's Gulch and New Constantinople, +goes. She meant it, too, as I could see by the sparkle of her eyes. + +"I went all through the war without swallerin' a mouthful of strong +drink, even when the doctor ordered it. I've contrived, sort of +accerdental and off hand like, to let her know them circumstances and +I've seen it pleased her immense. I've been layin' out some of my +money for clothes, too, since I got back. Vose bought me a coat in +Sacramento, blue with brass buttons. I've had a necktie that has been +laid away till the proper time comes to put it on. There are three or +four yards of silk in it and it will knock a rainbow out of sight. I +didn't want to overwhelm her too sudden like, and have been layin' +back for the right occasion. + +"It's arriv! I must knock that leftenant out, and that necktie will do +it! I'm mighty glad the parson hain't got any foolish dreams 'bout +the gal. The leftenant is the only galoot I've got to look out for, or +rather," added the miner grimly, "I'm the one he's got to beware of. +I'm in dead earnest this time." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +YOUNG LOVE'S DREAM + + +That which in the nature of things was inevitable came to pass. +Lieutenant Russell, in the same moment that his eyes rested upon +Nellie Dawson, was smitten, as hopelessly as ever ardent lover was +smitten by the lady whom he worshiped. The many things which the +father had told him about his daughter naturally excited interest in +her, but the young officer never dreamed of looking upon such +marvelous beauty as that which met his gaze in that secluded canyon of +the Sierras. It required all his self-control from drawing attention +to himself by his admiration of her. + +"I never saw such a perfect combination of face, feature and figure," +he reflected when alone. "It is an illustration of what nature can do +when left to herself. Then, too, she has a fund of knowledge that is +amazing, when all the circumstances are considered. I haven't had much +chance to converse with her, but I heard enough to know that she would +shine by virtue of her mind among the most accomplished of her +sisters, who have had every advantage that civilization can give. She +is a flower nourished on a mountain crag, exhaling all its fragrance, +untainted by a poisonous breath from the outer world. Who would have +dared to say that amid this rough, uncouth people, such loveliness +could take root and nourish? And yet it is that loveliness which has +permeated and regenerated the miners themselves. But for her these +nights would be spent in drinking, roistering, fighting and carousing. +It is her blessed influence, which unconsciously to herself has +purified the springs of life. Like the little leaven she has leavened +the whole lump." + +The passing days increased his interest in her, until very soon he +confessed to himself that he was deeply in love with Nellie Dawson. +She had become dearer to him than his own life. He could not live +without the hope of gaining and possessing her. He would remain in New +Constantinople and starve, even though a Golconda was discovered a few +miles away. He would linger, hopeful, buoyant and believing that the +dream of his existence was to be crowned with perfect fruition. + +But the sagacious lieutenant had learned to be observant and to note +the most trifling things that escape the eyes of the majority of +persons. Thus it was that the secret which Wade Ruggles and Parson +Brush believed was hidden, each from everyone except himself, became +as clear as noonday to him. He pitied them and yet he extracted a grim +amusement from the fact. + +"They are hopelessly infatuated with her; they are excessively jealous +and would rather shoot me than have me win. They are more than double +her age, and yet they can see no incongruity in hoping to win her. +They will hope on until the awakening comes. Then they will be my +deadliest enemies. I shouldn't be surprised if I receive a call and +warning from them, but neither they nor the whole world shall turn me +from the prize which is more than all the gold, mined or unmined, in +the Sierras." + +No one could have been more circumspect than the young man. He treated +Nellie Dawson with the chivalrous respect of a Crusader of the olden +time. He was always deferential, and, though he managed frequently to +meet and chat with her, yet it invariably had the appearance of being +accidental. Fortunately his feeling of comradeship for Captain Dawson +gave him a legitimate pretext for spending many evenings in his cabin, +where it was inevitable that he should be thrown into the society of +the daughter. + +Wade Ruggles and the parson noted all this with growing resentment. +When it had continued for several weeks, the two friends had a +conference over the situation. + +"I tell you, parson, it won't do to wait any longer," observed +Ruggles, puffing away at his pipe; "things is getting dangerous." + +"Do you think so?" asked his companion, who held precisely the same +opinion, but disliked to admit it. + +"There isn't a particle of doubt of it." + +"Let me see,--we agreed to give him warning didn't we?--just once." + +"Yes,--it's only fair that you should let a man know afore you hit +him, so he can brace himself for the shock, as it were." + +"Well, if we are going to do it, there is no use of waiting." + +"No use! It'll git worse every day. Let's go over to his place now." + +"It isn't likely we'll find him there; he spends nearly every evening +in the cabin of Captain Dawson." + +Neither fancied the task, and, had not their feelings been so wrought +up, they never could have been induced to undertake it, but because of +their misgivings, nothing could have dissuaded them from their +purpose. + +"When he comes to think soberly of it," added Ruggles, "he'll thank us +for giving him warning in time. If we wait much longer, it might be +too late; we couldn't scare him off the track, but now he'll show his +sense by stopping at once." + +The two passed out of the house and walked to the cabin of Lieutenant +Russell. Relieved, and yet in a certain sense dismayed, they found the +young officer at home engaged in reading. The instant he saw and +admitted them, he knew the errand on which they had come. Except for +the grave question involved, that which followed would have been a +delicious comedy. The lieutenant could not have treated a brother with +greater cordiality and never did host shine more brilliantly. He fell +to talking of war times, drew out Ruggles, interested the parson and +gave some of his own stirring experiences. They remained two hours and +went away charmed, without having once referred to Nellie Dawson. They +voted the young man a good fellow, concluded they were mistaken about +his admiring the young lady, and thought it lucky they had not made +fools of themselves. + +When they were clear of the house, Lieutenant Russell laughed +heartily. + +"Their faces gave them away; they were loaded and primed, but I drew +their charges; to-night they will vote me one of the best fellows that +ever lived; to-morrow they will begin to doubt, and by and by the +sweetest privilege they can ask will be to shoot me." + +Perhaps the most curious feature of the tragical incidents that +followed was the obtusiveness of Captain Dawson. What every one else +saw was veiled from him, until at times he almost seemed wilfully +blind. The two men had gone through many perilous experiences +together, and sometimes alone. It had been the fortune of the younger +officer to serve the elder, more than once when in imminent danger +and none could be more grateful than the captain. + +As for Nellie Dawson herself, it is unlikely that for a time she +suspected the truth in all its fulness. She knew that hers was a +peculiarly sweet enjoyment, while her deft fingers were busy with some +needlework, to listen to the reminiscences of the two. Sometimes she +started with a shock of alarm, when the father pictured in his graphic +way a situation from which it seemed no escape was open to him. +Forgetful for the moment of the fact that he was there before her, +alive and well, she fairly held her breath, until the _denouement_ +came. Not until then were her fears wholly relieved. + +And when the parent rendered such glowing tributes to the bravery of +the young officer, recalling events of so thrilling a nature that the +lieutenant never would have dared to describe them in similar terms, +how could the daughter help the kindling of admiration for the +handsome young man? How could she avoid feeling grateful, when she +knew that he had risked his life for her parent, even on their late +journey through the mountains? In truth, everything tended to fan the +flame that had already been kindled in both hearts. + +It was late one night, after the tired Nellie had withdrawn, that the +visitor made her the subject of the conversation, the approach being +so tactful, that the captain had no suspicion of its object. + +"Do you intend to spend all your life in this out of the way corner of +the world?" was the question of the lieutenant. + +"Probably I shall. Just before I went to war, I became convinced that +my duty to my daughter demanded I should move to the East, in order to +give her the education she can never receive here. However, when I +went to the war, there was no place except this where I could leave +her. When I come back, I find her a young woman, with excellent book +knowledge, thanks to Brush and the kind attention of the others. +Sometimes I think that she is so innocent and ignorant of evil, that +it will be better for her to spend the rest of her life here." + +"It is a serious matter, but neither you nor she should be content to +remain in this place for the rest of your lives." + +"Why not? Does that which she can learn elsewhere outweigh that which +she will never learn in this secluded settlement? Is not the man or +woman fortunate who never comes face to face with the ingratitude, the +treachery, the selfishness, the baseness and the sin which are the +accompaniments of civilization? In this untainted mountain air, her +nature will retain its freshness and purity; her life will be a well +spring of happiness and goodness to all with whom she comes in +contact; I shall never marry, and mean to keep her by me until in the +order of nature I am called away. That is the only boon that I ask +from heaven." + +"But may not all this be hers and yours if the flower is transplanted +from the wilderness into a more congenial soil? Has she not already +acquired that rugged strength which renders her nature secure against +evil? Is she not doubly panoplied in goodness by the training of her +infancy and girlhood?" + +"I would like to think so, but, lieutenant, I have lived a few years +longer than you. She _might_ not be safe there; I _know_ she is +here." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE THUNDERBOLT + + +Lieutenant Russell was treading on delicate ground, where the utmost +caution was necessary. He must not alarm his friend. He smoked a few +minutes in silence. + +"It is not for me to give counsel to my captain, but is it not a fact +that selfishness grows upon us with advancing years?" + +"Very likely." + +"Has it occurred to you that in concluding to pass the remainder of +your days in this mining settlement, you are thinking more of yourself +than of your child?" + +"What have I said that warrants that question?" asked the captain +sharply. + +"No higher motive than to protect a daughter from harm can inspire a +father, but if she should be allowed to close your eyes, when you come +to lie down and die, it will be hers to live: what _then_?" + +"I shall leave her comfortably provided for. My pay amounted to a +goodly sum when the war ended, and it is placed where no one else can +reap the benefit of it. Then, too, as you know we have struck +considerable paying dirt of late. The prospects are that New +Constantinople, even if a small town, will soon be a rich one." + +Lieutenant Russell groaned in spirit. Would the parent never +understand him? + +"Then you expect her to remain here, sharing in all the vicissitudes +of the place? It cannot always stand still; it will either increase, +bringing with it many bad elements, or it will cease to exist and +these people will have to go elsewhere: what then of the child whom +you have left behind you?" + +"Oh, by that time," airily replied the father; "she will be married to +some good honest fellow, like the parson, who seems to be fond of her, +as I know she is of him, but I will not allow her to think of marriage +for a long while to come," he added with emphasis. + +Lieutenant Russell had heard all he wished. He had learned that the +father would not consent to the marriage of his daughter for a number +of years, and when that time came, he would select one of the shaggy, +uncouth miners for her life partner. + +"He has never thought of _me_ in that capacity, but he will have to +entertain the thought before he is much older." + +In her dreamings of the mysterious world, with its teeming multitudes +and all manner of men, Nellie Dawson was sure that none lived who +could compare with this young cavalier who had come out from that +wonderful realm into the loneliness of her mountain home, bringing +with him a sunshine, a glow, a radiance, a happiness, and a thrilling +life which she had never believed could be hers. + +She often sat with her eyes upon his countenance, when, in his chair +opposite her father, he recalled those marvelous experiences of his. +To her no man could ever possess so musical a voice, and none so +perfect features and winning ways. It was young love's dream and in +her heart the sacred flame was kindled and fanned until her whole +being was suffused and glowed with the new life. + +One of Lieutenant Russell's firsts acts of kindness to Nellie Dawson +was to present her with his massive dog Timon. She had shown great +admiration from the first for the magnificent brute, who became fond +of her. The maiden was delighted beyond measure and thanked the donor +so effusively that he was embarrassed. It is not probable, however, +that Timon himself was ever aware of the change of ownership, for it +brought no change of conditions to him. He had learned to divide his +time about equally between the home of the lieutenant and that of +Captain Dawson, while, like the young lady herself, he wandered about +the settlement at will. He was a dignified canine, who stalked +solemnly through New Constantinople, or took a turn in Dead Man's +Gulch, resenting all familiarity from every one, except from the only +two persons that had ever owned him. + +The lieutenant reflected much upon his conversation with Captain +Dawson, the impression which he had received being anything but +pleasant. "He considers himself unselfish, and yet like all such he is +selfishness itself. He has determined to spend the rest of his days in +this hole and to keep her with him. He won't allow her to marry for +years, because it might interfere with his own pleasure; then he +intends to turn her over to that lank, shaggy-faced Brush, who +pretends to be a parson. The captain never thinks of _me_ as having +any claims upon her love. To carry out his plan would be a crime. If +she objects to Brush, he will probably give her a choice from the +whole precious lot, including Ruggles, Adams, Bidwell, or Red Mike, +the reformed gambler. + +"Never once has he asked himself whether his daughter may not have a +preference in the matter, but, with the help of heaven, he shall not +carry out this outrage." + +In the solitude of his own thoughts, the lover put the question to +himself: + +"Am _I_ unselfish in my intentions?" + +Selfishness is the essence of love. We resolve to obtain the one upon +whom our affections are set, regardless of the consequences or of the +future. It is _our_ happiness which is placed in the balance and +outweighs everything else. + +"Of course," continued the young officer in his self-communing, "I +shall be the luckiest fellow in the world when I win her and she will +be a happy woman. Therefore, it is her good which I seek as much as my +own." + +How characteristic of the lover! + +"I shall not abduct her. If she tells me she does not love me; if she +refuses to forsake all for me, then I will bid her good-by and go off +and die." + +How characteristic again of the lover! + +And yet it may be repeated that Lieutenant Russell was the most +guarded and circumspect of men. He no longer argued with Captain +Dawson, for it was useless. He rather lulled his suspicion by falling +in with his views, and talked of the future of parent and daughter, as +if it were one of the least interesting subjects that could come +between them. + +On one of Vose Adams's pilgrimages to Sacramento, he returned with a +superb mettled pony, the gift of Lieutenant Russell. With this pet she +soon became a daring and accomplished horsewoman. She was an expert, +too, with the small Winchester and revolver which her father brought +with him from the East. Perched like a bird upon her own Cap, as she +named him, she often dashed for a mile down the trail, wheeling like +a flash and returning at full speed. + +"Have a care," said Parson Brush, more than once; "you ride like a +centaur and none knows better how to use firearms, but there are +Indians in these mountains and they sometimes approach nigh enough to +be seen from New Constantinople. Then, too, your father brought word +that other miners are working their way toward us. More than likely +there are bad men among them whom it is best you should not meet." + +"But none would harm _me_," was the wondering reply of the miss; "are +not all of my own race my friends?" + +"They ought to be, but alas! it is too much to expect." + +She could not believe, however, that any danger of that nature +threatened her, but she deferred to the fears of her father, +Lieutenant Russell and the parson to that extent that she generally +had a companion with her on these dashes down the trail. Sometimes it +was Brush, sometimes Ruggles or her parent, and less frequently the +young officer. Timon always galloped or trotted behind her pony, and +she could not be made to believe that his protection was not +all-sufficient. + +The winds of early autumn were moaning through the gorges and canyons +of the Sierras, bringing with them the breath of coming winter, which +was often felt with all its Arctic rigor in these depressions among +the towering peaks and ridges. The usual group was gathered in the +Heavenly Bower, though two of the most prominent citizens were absent. +They were Felix Brush and Wade Ruggles, who were seated in their +cabin, where a small fire had been kindled on the primitive hearth and +afforded the only light in the small apartment. They had eaten their +evening meal and as usual were smoking. + +As neither cared to taste the Mountain Dew, so winsome to a majority +of the miners, the two often spent their evenings thus, especially +since the shadow caused by the coming of Lieutenant Russell had fallen +across their threshold. + +"Things begin to look better than afore," remarked Ruggles, sitting +with one leg flung across the other and looking thoughtfully into the +fire. + +"Yes, I always insisted that the soil about here is auriferous and we +had only to stick to it to obtain our reward." + +Ruggles took his pipe from his mouth and looked at his partner with a +disgusted expression. + +"What are you talkin' 'bout, parson?" + +"Didn't you refer to the diggings?" he innocently asked in turn. + +"Come now, that won't do; you know my references to allusions was the +leftenant and the young lady. I say things look better as regards the +same." + +"In what way?" + +"In the only way there could be. They don't care partic'lar for each +other." + +"There is no doubt they did some time ago." + +"Of course, but I mean _now_." + +"How do you explain the change, Wade?" + +"The chap ain't a fool; he's took notice of our warnin's." + +"I wasn't aware that we had given him any." + +"Not 'zactly in words, but every time I've met him with the gal, I +give the leftenant a scowl. Once I come purty near shakin' my fist at +him; he's obsarved it all and is wise in time." + +"I think there is ground for what you say," remarked the parson, +anxious to be convinced of the hoped-for fact; "what I base my belief +on is that the leftenant doesn't accompany her on her little riding +trips as often as her father or you or I: _that_ is a sure barometer, +according to my judgment. Still I have sometimes feared from the way +she talks and acts that she thinks more of him than is right." + +"Nothing of the kind! She treats him as she does everybody else; the +leftenant is the friend of the cap and the leftenant give her the dog +that is the size of a meetin' house and the pony hardly as big as the +dog, but she doesn't think half as much of him as of you and me; how +can she?" demanded Ruggles, sitting bolt upright and spreading his +hand like a lawyer who has uttered an unanswerable argument; "hain't +she knowed us a blamed sight longer than him?" + +"You are correct; I didn't think of that." + +How eagerly we accept the argument, flimsy as it may be, which accords +with our wishes! + +"When I feel sorter ugly over my 'spicions," continued Ruggles; "I +jest reflect that we've knowed the gal ever since she was a baby and +her father tumbled down a hundred feet onto the roof of the +Heavenly Bower, with her in his arms in the middle of that howlin' +blizzard,--when I think of that I say----" + +The door of the cabin was hastily shoved inward and Captain Dawson, +his face as white as death, strode in. + +"Have you seen anything of Nellie?" he asked in a husky whisper. + +"No; what's the matter?" asked the startled miners. + +"She has gone! she has left me!" gasped the father dropping into the +only remaining chair, the picture of despair and unutterable woe. + +"Why do you think that?" asked the parson, sympathetically. + +"Lieutenant Russell has gone too! They have fled together!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +COMRADES IN SORROW + + +Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush sprang to their feet and confronted the +white-faced Captain Dawson, who stared at them and breathed fast. For +a full minute they gazed into one another's faces, dazed, motionless +and speechless. The partners stood, each with pipe in hand, the faint +smoke curling upward from the bowls, their slouched hats still on +their frowsy heads, the revolvers at their cartridge belts spanning +their waists, their trousers tucked in the tops of their boots, and +with their heavy flannel shirts serving for coats and vests. + +Captain Dawson was similarly attired. He had dashed out of his own +cabin and into that of his friends, his long locks flying, and even +the strands of his heavy beard rigidly apart, as if from the +consternation that had taken possession of his very soul. + +In those seconds of tomb-like stillness, an ember on the earthen +hearth fell apart and a twist of flame threw a yellow illumination +through the small room, grim and bare of everything suggesting +luxury. + +It was the parson who first found voice, but when he spoke the tones, +even to himself, sounded like those of another person. + +"Captain, it is possible that there is some mistake about this." + +"Would to God there might be!" + +"Let us hope there is." + +"Mistake!" he repeated in a husky, rasping voice; "can there be any +mistake about _that_?" + +He threw out his single arm as he spoke, as if he would drive his fist +through their chests. But he held a crumpled bit of paper in the face +of the parson, who silently took it from him, crinkled it apart and +turning his side so that the firelight fell on the sheet, began +reading the few words written in pencil and in the pretty delicate +hand which he knew so well. + +"Read it out loud, parson," said Ruggles, speaking for the first +time. + +Felix Brush did so in a voice of surprising evenness: + + "MY DEAREST FATHER:--I have decided to go with Lieutenant Russell. + We love each other and I have promised to become his wife. Do not + think I love you any less for that can never be. I cannot remain + here. You will hear from us soon and then I pray that you will + come to your own + + NELLIE." + +"Have you been to his shanty?" asked Ruggles, who hardly comprehended +the meaning of his own words. + +"Why would he go there?" angrily demanded the parson. + +"Mebbe the villain changed his mind." + +"But, if he had, _she_ would not be there." + +"Yes; I went to his cabin," bitterly answered Captain Dawson; "he has +not been in the place for hours; all is dark and deserted; if I found +him, I would have killed him." + +The three were laboring under fearful emotion, but with surprising +power forced themselves to seem comparatively calm. + +"Captain, tell us about it," said the parson, carefully folding the +bit of paper upon itself and shoving it into his pocket, unobserved by +the others. + +Despite his apparent calmness it took a few moments for the father to +gain sufficient self-control to speak clearly. Seated in the chair, he +looked into the embers of the fire on the hearth, compressed his lips +and breathed hard. His two friends had also seated themselves, for it +seemed to them it was easier to master their agitation thus than while +upon their feet. + +"What have I to tell, but my everlasting woe and shame? The lieutenant +and I have been working for several days by ourselves on a new lead. I +had noticed nothing unusual in his manner nor indeed in that of my +child. At lunch time to-day he complained to me of not feeling like +work, and told me not to expect him back this afternoon. I would have +returned with him, had not the indications of the new lead been so +good. And actually he invited me to do no more work until to-morrow, +though why he should have done it, when it would have spoiled their +whole scheme, is more than I can explain. + +"It was part of his plan to deceive you." + +"I don't see how it could do that, for there was no need of his +inviting me,--but let it go. It came about that I worked later than +usual, so that it was dark when I got home. I was surprised to see no +light and to find no fire or Nellie. I thought nothing of that, +however, for who would have believed it possible that there could be +anything wrong? I supposed she was with some of the folks and being +tired I sat down in my chair and fell asleep. + +"When I awoke, the room was cold, silent and as dark as a wolf's +mouth. I felt impatient and decided to give her a scolding for being +so neglectful. I groped around until I found a match, intending to +start a fire. I had just lit the lamp and set it down on the table, +when I caught sight of a folded piece of paper with my name in her +handwriting on the outside. It gave me a queer feeling and my hands +trembled when I unfolded and read it. + +"I don't clearly remember the next few minutes. The room seemed to be +spinning around, and I think I had to sit down to keep from falling, +but what saved me from collapse was my anger. I have been consumed +with indignation once or twice in my life, but was never so furious, +so uncontrollable, so utterly savage as I was after reading that note. +If I could have found Russell, I would have throttled him. It may +sound strange, but I hardly once thought of Nellie; it was _he_, the +villain, whom I yearned to get my hands on." + +"Of course," said Ruggles, "that's the way you oughter feel." + +"I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I rushed out and made +straight for his cabin, as if I would find him there. Of course that +too was empty, and then I came here. Fool that I have been!" exclaimed +the parent, leaping to his feet and striding up and down the room; +"not to see all this, but," he added pathetically, "I believed that +Nellie loved me." + +The flaming wrath of the two melted into pity for the stricken father. +Parson Brush laid his hand on his shoulder and compelled him to resume +his seat. Then he spoke with the tenderness of a woman: + +"That child _does_ love you more than she loves her own life, but she +is blinded by her infatuation for that smooth-tongued scoundrel. It is +the nature of her sex to feel and act thus; but, as I said, it does +not mean that her love for you is less--" + +"Don't talk of her love for me," fiercely interrupted the parent; "we +only judge of a person by his actions." + +"But you and I have made mistakes--" + +"Nothing like this; why did she not ask me? why did _he_ not tell me +that he wished to marry her?--that is if he does," added the father, +as if determined to make his own cup as bitter as possible. + +"He did not ask you, because he knew you would refuse; for from the +first time he entered this community, he was determined to have her." + +"How do you know that?" + +"Because Ruggles and I read him; we did what no one else did,--we +measured the man. Am I right, Wade?" + +The miner nodded his head. + +"Every word is as true as gospel; we noticed his sly looks at her, +that first night you and him entered the Heavenly Bower and she was +there. We couldn't make any mistake about it." + +"And you didn't warn me! You two are as bad as he, because you kept +the secret when you ought to have put me on my guard, so that I might +have strangled him at the first advance he made." + +Sympathy for the man prevented his listeners taking offence at +the words which, from any one else, would have brought serious +consequences. The parson said soothingly: + +"If you were not so wrought up, captain, you would not be so +unreasonable; suppose Wade and I had gone to you with the statement +that the man who, according to your own words, had saved your life but +a short time before in the mountains, was a villain, who contemplated +robbing you of your child; what would you have done?" + +"Thanked you and been on my guard." + +"You would have done nothing of the kind; you would have cursed us and +told us to mind our own business." + +"No matter what I would have done, it was your duty to tell me, +regardless of the consequences to yourselves. I might have resented +it, but my eyes would have been opened and this blow saved me." + +"Nothing could have opened your eyes, for you were blind," said the +parson, who felt that though the man was intensely agitated, he ought +to hear some plain truths; "even had you suspected there was ground +for our fears, you would have gone to Lieutenant Russell and demanded +an explanation. He would have denied it, and you would have believed +him with the result that he would have been put on his guard and would +have deceived you the more completely." + +"Likewise, as aforesaid," added Ruggles, "the villain would have come +to us and made us give our grounds for our charges. What ridic'lous +fools we would have been, when all we could answer was that we +thought he looked as if he meant to run away with your darter." + +"There may be some justice in what you say," replied the captain more +composedly; "It was I who was blind, but I can't understand it. Never +until I read that piece of paper, did I suspect the truth." + +"Howsumever, the parson and me haven't been idle; we often talked it +over and fixed on a line that we thought would work better than going +to you. We showed the leftenant that we was onto his game; I give him +a scowl now and then, as it fell convenient, that said 'Beware!' We, +that is the parson and me, made up our minds to watch close, and, at +the first sign that was dead sure, we'd fall onto him like a couple of +mountains." + +"And why didn't you?" + +"He fooled us as he did you. We was talkin' over matters the very +minute you busted into the door and was satisfied that he had larned +he was playin' with fire and had concluded to drop it. We was as big +fools as you." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +NOW + + +It was the parson who now broke in. + +"Why do we sit here, lamenting that which cannot be helped? Do you +mean to give up, captain, and let her go? Will you settle down to +toil in the diggings, giving her no further thought, while this +pretty-faced lieutenant is chuckling over the clever manner by which +he fooled you as well as us--" + +"No!" fairly shouted the roused parent; "I will follow them to the +ends of the earth! They shall not find a foot of ground that will +protect them! She has never seen me angry, but she shall now!" + +"We are with you," coolly responded Brush, "but only on one +condition." + +"What's that?" + +"That this account is to be settled with _him_ alone; you musn't speak +so much as a cross word to Nellie; she will shed many a bitter tear of +sorrow; she will drain the cup to its dregs; _he_, the cause of it +all, is to be brought to judgment. When do you wish to take up the +pursuit?" + +"Now!" + +"And we are with you." + +There was something wonderful in the way Parson Brush kept control of +himself. Externally he was as calm as when standing in front of the +adamantine blackboard, giving instruction to Nellie Dawson, while down +deep in his heart, raged a tempest such as rouses into life the +darkest passions that can nerve a man to wrong doing. Believing it +necessary to stir the father to action, he had done it by well chosen +words, that could not have been more effective. + +For weeks and months the shadow had brooded over him. Sometimes it +seemed to lift and dissolve into unsubstantiality, only to come back +more baleful than before. And the moment when he had about persuaded +himself that it was but a figment of the imagination, it had sprung +into being and crushed him. But he was now stern, remorseless, +resolute, implacable. + +It was much the same with Wade Ruggles. He strove desperately to gain +the remarkable control of his feelings, displayed by his comrade, and +partly succeeded. But there was a restless fidgeting which caused him +to move aimlessly about the room and showed itself now and then in a +slight tremulousness of the voice and hands, but his eyes wore that +steely glitter, which those at his side had noticed when the rumble +and grumble told that the battle was on. + +Captain Dawson went from one extreme to the other. Crazed, tumultuous +in his fury, and at first like a baffled tiger, he moderated his voice +and manner until his companions wondered at his self-poise. + +"They have started for Sacramento and are now well advanced over the +trail," he remarked without any evidence of excitement. + +"When do you imagine they set out?" asked Brush. + +"Probably about the middle of the afternoon; possibly earlier." + +"Then," said Ruggles, "they have a good six hours' start. They haven't +lost any time and must be fifteen or twenty miles away." + +"The trail is easy traveling for twice that distance, as I recollect +it," observed the captain; "after that it grows rougher and they will +not be able to go so fast." + +"This must have been arranged several days ago, though it is only +guesswork on our part. Of course she has taken considerable clothing +with her." + +"I did not look into her room," said the captain; "there's no use; it +is enough to know they made their preparations and started, +accompanied by that dog Timon." + +No time was wasted. They knew they would encounter cold weather, for +the autumn had fairly set in, and some portions of the trail carried +them to an elevation where it was chilly in midsummer. Each took a +thick blanket. The captain donned his military coat, with the empty +sleeve pinned to the breast, caught up his saddle and trappings, his +Winchester and revolver, and buckled the cartridge belt around his +waist. Then he was ready. Neither of the others took coat or vest. The +blanket flung around the shoulders was all that was likely to be +needed, in addition to the heavy flannel shirt worn summer and +winter. + +Thus equipped, the three stood outside the cabin, with the moon high +in the sky, a gentle wind sweeping up the canyon and loose masses of +clouds drifting in front of the orb of night. Here and there a light +twinkled from a shanty and the hum of voices sounded faintly in their +ears. Further off, at the extreme end of the settlement, stood the +Heavenly Bower, with the yellow rays streaming from its two windows. +They could picture the group gathered there, as it had gathered night +after night during the past years, full of jest and story, and with +never a thought of the tragedy that had already begun. + +"Shall we tell them?" asked Ruggles. + +"No," answered Brush; "some of them might wish to go with us." + +"And it might be well to take them," suggested Captain Dawson. + +"We are enough," was the grim response of the parson. + +Like so many phantoms, the men moved toward the further end of the +settlement. Opposite the last shanty a man assumed form in the gloom. +He had just emerged from his dwelling and stopped abruptly at sight of +the trio of shadows gliding past. + +"What's up, pards?" he called. + +"Nothing," was the curt answer of the captain, who was leading and did +not change his pace. + +"You needn't be so huffy about it," growled the other, standing still +and puffing his pipe until they vanished. + +"That was Vose Adams," remarked the captain over his shoulder; "he'll +tell the rest what he saw and it will be known to everybody in the +morning." + +The little party was carefully descending the side of the canyon, with +now and then a partial stumble, until they reached the bottom of the +broad valley where the grass grew luxuriantly nearly the whole year. +It was nutritious and succulent and afforded the best of pasturage for +the few horses and mules belonging to the miners. + +Captain Dawson and Lieutenant Russell had ridden up the trail, each +mounted on a fine steed, which had brought them from Sacramento. When +the saddles and bridles were removed, the animals were turned loose in +the rich pasturage, which extended for miles over the bottom of the +canyon. There, too, grazed the pony of Nellie Dawson, the horses of +Ruggles and Bidwell and the three mules owned by Landlord Ortigies +and Vose Adams. The latter were left to themselves, except when needed +for the periodical journeys to Sacramento. The little drove +constituted all the possessions of New Constantinople in that line. +Consequently, if any more of the miners wished to join in the pursuit, +they would have to do so on foot or on mule back,--a fact which was +likely to deter most of them. + +In the early days of the settlement, before the descent of that +terrible blizzard, fully a dozen mules and horses were grazing in the +gorge, subject to the call of their owners, who, however, did not +expect to need them, unless they decided to remove to some other site. +But one morning every hoof had vanished and was never seen again. The +prints of moccasins, here and there in the soft earth, left no doubt +of the cause of their disappearance. Perhaps this event had something +to do with the permanence of New Constantinople, since the means of a +comfortable departure with goods, chattels, tools and mining +implements went off with the animals. + +After that the miners made no further investments in quadrupeds, +except to the extent of three or four mules, needed by Vose Adams, +though he was forced to make one journey to Sacramento on foot. Thus +matters stood until the addition of the horses. There was always +danger of their being stolen, but as the weeks and months passed, +without the occurrence of anything of that nature, the matter was +forgotten. + +The three men were so familiar with the surroundings that they made +their way to the bottom of the canyon with as much readiness as if the +sun were shining. Pausing beside the narrow, winding stream, which at +that season was no more than a brook, they stood for several minutes +peering here and there in the gloom, for the animals indispensable for +a successful pursuit of the eloping ones. + +"There's no saying how long it will take to find them," remarked the +captain impatiently; "it may be they have been grazing a mile away." + +"Have you any signal which your animal understands?" + +"Yes, but it is doubtful if he will obey it." + +Captain Dawson placed his fingers between his lips and emitted a +peculiar tremulous whistle, repeating it three times with much +distinctness. Then all stood silent and listening. + +"He may be asleep. Once he was prompt to obey me, but he has been +turned loose so long that there is little likelihood of his heeding +it." + +"Try it again and a little stronger," suggested Ruggles. + +The captain repeated the call until it seemed certain the animal must +hear it, but all the same, the result was nothing. + +It was exasperating for the hounds thus to be held in leash when the +game was speeding from them, with the scent warm, but there was no +help for it. + +"We are wasting time," said Dawson; "while you two go up the gorge, I +will take the other direction; look sharp for the animals that are +probably lying down; they are cunning and will not relish being +disturbed; if you find them whistle, and I'll do the same." + +They separated, the captain following one course and his friends the +other. + +"It'll be a bad go," remarked Ruggles, "if we don't find the horses, +for we won't have any show against them on their animals." + +"Little indeed and yet it will not hold us back." + +"No, indeed!" replied Ruggles with a concentration of passion that +made the words seem to hiss between his teeth. + +Since the stream was so insignificant, Wade Ruggles leaped across and +went up the canyon on the other side, his course being parallel with +his friend's. A hundred yards further and he made a discovery. + +"Helloa, Brush, here they are!" + +The parson bounded over the brook and hurried to his side, but a +disappointment followed. The three mules having cropped their fill had +lain down for the night but the horses were not in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE PURSUERS + + +The parson expressed his disappointment in vigorous language, when, +instead of the horses, the hybrids proved to be the only animals near +them. + +"I am afraid this proves one thing," he said. + +"What is that?" + +"I have had a dread all along that the Indians would run off the +horses, but it seems to me that if they had done so, they would have +taken the mules." + +"It strikes me as more likely that the leftenant took the horses, so +as to prevent our follering him and the gal." + +"That sounds reasonable," said the parson thoughtfully; "the plan is +so simple that it must have occurred to him. The mules are too slow to +be of any use to us, and it may be as well that we shall have to go +afoot." + +"How do you figure that out?" + +"They will conclude that, if we haven't any horses, we won't follow +them; they will, therefore, take their time and travel so slow, that +we'll have the chance to swoop down on them when they are not +expecting it." + +"I s'pose there's what you call philosophy in that, but it doesn't hit +me very favorable. We'll see what the cap thinks--helloa!" + +Clearly and distinctly through the still air came the signal by which +Captain Dawson was to announce his discovery of the animals. The call +scattered all thoughts of making the journey on foot, and, wheeling +about, the two started off at a rapid pace to join their friend. At +the same moment the call sounded again, and they answered it to let it +be known they understood the situation. In a brief time they came upon +Captain Dawson impatiently awaiting them. There was no need for him to +tell them he had been successful in his search, for he was standing +beside the three horses, which were quickly saddled and bridled. A +minute later the men vaulted upon their backs and the captain said +crisply: + +"Now we are off!" + +Each seemed to be inspired by the spirit of adventure. They sat erect +in the saddles, drew in a deep inhalation of the keen night air, and +moved off with their horses on a brisk walk, which almost immediately +became a canter. For a mile, the trail through Dead Man's Gulch was +nearly as hard and even as a country highway. The width of the canyon +varied from a few rods to a quarter of a mile, with the mountain +ridges on either hand towering far up into cloudland, the tallest +peaks crowned with snow which the sun never dissolved. + +The tiny stream wound like a silvery serpent through the stretch of +green, succulent grass, narrowing gorge and obtruding rock and +boulder. Now and then the path led across the water, which was so +shallow that it only plashed about the fetlocks of the horses. Captain +Dawson, in his impetuosity, kept a few paces in front of the other +two, as if he were the leader. When the space increased too much he +reined up his animal and waited until his friends joined him. They +were grim, resolute and for most of the time had little to say to one +another, though, as may be supposed, their thoughts were of anything +but a pleasant nature. + +So long as the moon held her place near the zenith, the canyon was +suffused and flooded with its soft radiance, but the rifts of clouds +drifting before its face rendered the light at times treacherous and +uncertain. The horses had rested so long, and had had such extensive +browsing on the rich pasturage, that they were in fine condition, and +the gallop seemed more grateful to them than an ordinary walking gait. +The air was cool and the fine trail, at this portion of the journey, +made all the conditions favorable. After a time however, the ascent +and descent would appear, the ground would become rough and the best +the animals could do would be to walk. + +When Parson Brush remarked that Lieutenant Russell had proved himself +an idiot when he left these horses behind for his pursuers to use, the +captain and Ruggles agreed with him. + +"I don't understand it," said Brush; "he must have expected we would +be hot after him, within the very hour we learned of what he had done, +or can it be that he and she concluded we would say, 'Depart in +peace?' If so, the young man shall have a terrible awakening." + +"It seems to me," said Ruggles, "that it is more likely he believed +that with the start he would gain, it didn't matter whether we +follered or not, feelin' sure that he could keep out of reach and get +to Sacramento so fur ahead of us, that he needn't give us a thought." + +"I am not very familiar with the trail," remarked the captain, "for, +as you know, I have passed over it only twice; first, nearly five +years ago, when I went to the war, and a few months since when I came +back." + +"But you and Russell did not lose your way," said the parson. + +"That was because we did our traveling by day. We tried it once at +night, but came within a hair of tumbling over a precipice a thousand +feet deep. This will be easy enough, so long as we have the sun to +help us." + +"You probably know as much about the trail as Wade and I, for neither +of us has been over it often. Consequently, when we travel by night, +we shall have to go it blind, or rather shall do so after awhile, +since all is plain sailing now." + +"I ain't so sure of that," observed Ruggles doubtfully; "we must have +come a mile already and ought to have made a turn by this time." + +Captain Dawson checked his horse and peered ahead. + +"Can it be we are off the track? We have come nearer two miles than +one--ah!" + +Just then the moon emerged from the obscuring clouds and their field +of vision so broadened that they saw themselves face to face with an +impassable barrier. The canyon closed directly in front of them like an +immense gate of stone. It was impossible to advance a hundred feet +further. + +"Well, I'm blessed if this isn't a pretty situation!" exclaimed the +captain. + +"We have passed the opening, but we haven't far to return, and you +know that a bad beginning brings a good ending." + +"Humph! I would rather chance it on a good beginning." + +Ruggles was the first to wheel and strike his horse into a gallop, +which he did with the remark that he knew where the right passage was +located. His companions were almost beside him. The canyon was of that +peculiar conformation that, while it terminated directly in front, it +contained an abrupt angle between where the party had halted and the +mining settlement. At that point it was so wide that the little +stream, which might have served for a guide, was lost sight of. Had +they followed the brook, they would not have gone astray. The only +inconvenience was the slight delay, which in their restless mood tried +their spirits to the utmost. Captain Dawson muttered to himself and +urged his horse so angrily that he again placed himself in advance. +His mood was no more savage than that of his companions, but he chafed +at everything which caused delay, no matter how trifling, in the +pursuit. + +Fearing that he might go wrong, Ruggles spurred up beside him. The +distance passed was less than any one expected it to be, when Ruggles +called out: + +"Here we are!" + +The exclamation was caused by the hoofs of their horses plashing in +the water. They seemed to share the impatience of their riders; "all +we have to do now is to keep to the stream; obsarve its turn." + +Its course was almost at right angles to that which they had been +following. The animals were cantering easily, when suddenly a deeper +gloom than usual overspread the valley like a pall. This came from a +heavy bank of clouds sweeping before the moon. The steeds were drawn +down to a walk, but the obscurity was not dense enough to shut out the +chasm-like opening, where the mountains seemed to part, riven by some +terrific convulsion ages before. The enormous walls drew back the door +as if to invite them to enter and press the pursuit of the couple that +were fleeing from a just and righteous wrath. + +The width of the canyon had now dwindled to a few yards, and the stream +expanding and shallow, occupied so much of the space that the horses +were continually splashing through it, but the rise and fall of the +trail was so slight that the gallop might have continued with little +danger of mishap. + +The formation of the party was in "Indian file," with Captain Dawson +leading, Ruggles next and Brush bringing up the rear. All three +animals were walking, for the light of the moon was variable and often +faint, while the danger of a mis-step was ever present, and was likely +to bring a fatal ending of the pursuit almost before it had fairly +begun. Occasionally the gloom in the narrow gorge was so deep that +they distinguished one another's figures indistinctly, but the animals +were left mostly to themselves. They seemed to know what was expected +of them and showed no hesitation. It was impossible for them to go +wrong, for it was much the same as if crossing a bridge, with its +protecting barrier on either hand. The horse of the captain showed his +self-confidence once or twice by a faint whinney and a break from the +walk into a trot, but his rider checked him. + +"Not yet; heaven knows that I am as anxious to push on as you, but we +have already made one blunder and we can't afford another; when the +time comes that it is safe to trot you shall do so and perhaps run." + +"Hush!" called Brush from the rear; "I hear a curious sound." + +"What does it seem to be?" + +"It is impossible to tell; let's stop for a moment." + +As the three animals stood motionless, the strange noise was audible. +It was a deep, hollow roar rapidly increasing in volume and intensity, +and resembled the warning of a tornado or cyclone advancing through +the forest. The animals, as is the case at such times, were nervous +and frightened. They elevated their heads, pricked their ears, snuffed +the air and the animal of the parson trembled with terror. + +The three believed that something in the nature of a cyclone was +approaching, or it might be a cloudburst several miles away, whose +deluge had swollen the stream into a rushing torrent that would +overwhelm them where they stood, caught inextricably in a trap. + +The terrifying roar, however, was neither in front nor at the rear, +but above them,--over their heads! From the first warning to the end +was but a few seconds. The sound increased with appalling power and +every eye was instinctively turned upward. + +In the dim obscurity they saw a dark mass of rock, weighing hundreds +of tons, descending like a prodigious meteor, hurled from the heavens. +It had been loosened on the mountain crest a half mile above, and was +plunging downward with inconceivable momentum. Striking some +obstruction, it rebounded like a rubber ball against the opposite side +of the gorge, then recoiled, still diving downward, oscillating like a +pendulum from wall to wall, whirling with increasing speed until it +crashed to the bottom of the gorge with a shock so terrific that the +earth and mountain trembled. + +Landing in the stream, the water was flung like bird shot right and +left, stinging the faces of the men fifty feet distant. They sat awed +and silent until Ruggles spoke: + +"Now if that stone had hit one of us on the head it would have hurt." + +"Probably it would," replied the captain, who had difficulty in +quieting his horse; "at any rate, I hope no more of them will fall +till we are out of the way." + +"I wonder whether that could have been done on purpose," remarked the +parson. + +"No," said Ruggles; "the leftenant couldn't know anything about our +being purty near the right spot to catch it." + +"I alluded to Indians,--not to him." + +But Ruggles and the captain did not deem such a thing credible. A +whole tribe of red men could not have loosened so enormous a mass of +stone, while, if poised as delicately as it must have been, they would +have known nothing of the fact. Sometimes an immense oak, sound and +apparently as firm as any in the forest around it, suddenly plunges +downward and crashes to the earth, from no imaginable cause. So, vast +masses of rock on the mountain side which have held their places for +centuries, seem to leap from their foundations and tear their way with +resistless force into the valley below. This was probably one of those +accidental displacements, liable to occur at any hour of the day or +night, which had come so startlingly near crushing the three men to +death. + +Captain Dawson drew a match from his pocket and scraping it along his +thigh, held it to the face of his watch. + +"Just midnight and we are not more than half a dozen miles from +home." + +"And how far do you suppose _they_ are?" asked the parson. + +"Probably five times as much, if not more." + +"But they will not travel at night, and by sunrise we ought to be +considerably nearer to them than now." + +"You can't be certain about that. Lieutenant Russell knows me too +well to loiter on the road; he has a good horse and the pony of Nellie +is a tough animal; both will be urged to the utmost; for they must be +sure the pursuit will be a hard one." + +The discomforting fact in the situation was that if the fugitives, as +they may be considered, pushed their flight with vigor, there was no +reason why they should not prevent any lessening of the distance +between them and their pursuers, and since they would naturally fear +pursuit, it was to be expected that they would use all haste. The hope +was that on account of Nellie, the animals would not keep up the +flight for so many hours out of the twenty-four, as the pursuers would +maintain it. + +The trail steadily ascended and became so rough and uneven that the +horses frequently stumbled. This made their progress slow and +compelled the three men, despite themselves, to feel the prudence of +resting until daylight, but not one of them wished to do so, since the +night pursuit was the only phase of the business which brought with it +the belief that they were really lessening the distance separating +them from the two in advance. + +Eager as the couple were to get through the mountains and reach +Sacramento, where for the first time they could feel safe from their +pursuers, the young officer was too wise to incur the risk of breaking +down their horses, for such a mishap would be a most serious one +indeed, and fraught with fatal consequences. + +There was little fear of the pursuers going astray. Captain Dawson had +an extraordinary memory for places, as he repeatedly proved by +recalling some landmark that he had noticed on his previous trip. +Furthermore, the gorge was so narrow that in a certain sense, it may +be said, they were fenced in, and would have found it hard to wander +to the right or left, had they made the effort. + +After an hour of steady climbing they reached an altitude which +brought with it a sharp change of temperature. The air became so +chilly that Ruggles and Brush flung their blankets about their +shoulders and found the protection added to their comfort. The horses, +too, began to show the effects of their severe exertion. Their long +rest had rendered them somewhat "soft," though the hardening would be +rapid. After a few days' work they would not mind such exertion as +that to which they were now forced. + +When a sort of amphitheatre was reached, it was decided to draw rein +for a brief while, out of sympathy for their panting animals. + +"I thought if we failed to find our horses," remarked the parson, "we +wouldn't find it hard to keep up the pursuit on foot; I have changed +my mind." + +He looked back over the sloping trail, which speedily vanished in the +gloom and the eyes of the other two were turned in the same direction. +At the moment of doing so, the animals again became frightened, so +that, despite their fatigue, it was hard to restrain them. + +"There's something down there," remarked the captain slipping from his +saddle; "Wade, you are the nearest, can you see anything?" + +Ruggles was out of the saddle in an instant, Winchester in hand. + +"I catched sight of something," he said in an undertone; "look after +my horse, while I find out what it is." + +"Have a care," cautioned the parson; "it may be an Indian." + +"That's what I think it is," replied Ruggles, who instantly started +down the trail rifle in hand, his posture a crouching one and his +senses strung to the highest point. + +He passed from view almost on the instant, and his companions listened +with intense anxiety for what was to follow. Suddenly the sharp crack +of their friend's rifle rang out in the solemn stillness, the report +echoing again and again through the gorge, with an effect that was +startling even to such experienced men. It was the only sound that +came to them, and, while they were wondering what it meant, Ruggles +reappeared among them with the noiselessness of a shadow. + +"It was a bear," he explained; "I think he scented the animals and was +follering on the lookout for a chance at 'em." + +"Did you kill him?" + +"Don't think I did; he must have heard me comin' and was scared; he +went down the trail faster than I could; when I seen that I couldn't +catch him, I let fly without taking much aim. Maybe I hit him; +leastways, he traveled so much faster that I give it up and come +back." + +The party lingered for half an hour more, but as the horses showed no +further fear, they concluded that bruin had taken to heart the lesson +he received and would bother them no further. + +The mountains still towered on every hand. The stream had long since +disappeared among the rocks and the gorge had become narrower. +Generally it was no more than a dozen feet in width, occasionally +expanding to two or three times that extent. The moon had moved over +so far that only its faint reflection against the dark walls and +masses of rock availed the horsemen. The sky seemed to contain an +increasing number of clouds and there were indications of a storm, +which might not break for a day or two, and as likely as not would not +break at all. + +The traveling, despite its difficulty, was comparatively safe. The +trail did not lead along the sides of precipices, with a climbing +wall on one side and a continuous descent on the other, but it was +solid and extended across from one ridge to the other. Because of this +fact the three pushed their animals hard, knowing that it would not be +long before they would have to be favored. + +"I don't know whether we are wise to keep this up as we are doing," +said the captain, "but I know there are few places where we can travel +in the darkness and I feel like making the most of them." + +"It is only a question of what the horses are able to stand," replied +Brush; "it is easy enough for us to ride, but a very different thing +for them to carry us. We must guard against their breaking down." + +"I will look out for that, but it is strange that when we were making +ready to start we forgot one important matter." + +"What was that?" + +"We did not bring a mouthful of food." + +"We shall have little trouble in shooting what game we need." + +"Perhaps not and perhaps we shall. The lieutenant and I found on our +way from Sacramento that, although game appeared to be plenty, it had +an exasperating habit of keeping out of range when we particularly +needed it. Delay will be necessary to get food, and the reports of +our guns are likely to give warning, just when it is dangerous." + +"It was a bad slip," assented the parson; "for there was plenty of +meat and bread at home; but we shall have to stop now and then to rest +our animals and to allow them to feed and we can utilize such +intervals by getting something for ourselves in the same line." + +"It isn't that, so much as the risk of apprising the two of their +danger. In addition, it will be strange if we get through the +mountains without a fight with the Indians. According to my +recollection, we shall strike a region to-morrow or on the next day, +where there will be the mischief to pay." + +Two miles more of laborious work and another halt. For the first time +Parson Brush showed excitement. + +"Do you know," he said, "that some one is following us? There may be +several, but I am sure of one at least and he is on a horse." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +A CLOSE CALL + + +Few situations are more trying than that of being followed at night by +what we suspect is an enemy. The furtive glances to the rear show the +foe too indistinctly for us to recognize him, and the imagination +pictures the swift, stealthy attack and the treacherous blow against +which it is impossible to guard. + +There was little of this dread, however, in the case of our friends, +for they felt strong enough to take care of themselves. Moreover, all +three formed an instant suspicion of the identity of the man. + +It was Felix Brush at the rear who first heard the faint footfalls, +and, peering into the gloom, saw the outlines of a man and beast a few +rods distant, coming steadily up the trail in the same direction with +himself. A few minutes later the halt was made and all eyes were +turned toward the point whence the man was approaching. He must have +noticed the stoppage, but he came straight on until he joined the +group. + +"Howdy, pards," was his greeting. + +"I thought it was you, Vose," said the captain, sharply; "what do you +mean by following us?" + +"What right have you to get in front of me? Don't I have to make a +trip to Sacramento three or four times each year?" + +"But you are not accustomed to start in the night time." + +"And I never knowed it was your custom to leave New Constantinople in +the middle of the night; leastways I never knowed you to do it +afore." + +"We have important business," added the captain brusquely, uncertain +as yet whether he ought to be displeased or angered by the intrusion +of Adams. + +"So have I." + +"What is it?" + +"Your good." + +"I don't understand you; explain yourself." + +"There ain't one of you three that knows the way through the +mountains, and if you undertook it alone, it would take you three +months to reach Sacramento." + +This was a new and striking view of the situation, but the parson +said: + +"Each of us has been over it before." + +"Sartinly, but one trip nor half a dozen ain't enough. You lost your +way the first hour in Dead Man's Gulch; if you hadn't done so, it +would have took me a blamed sight longer to find you; there are half a +dozen other places in the mountains ten times worse than the one +where you flew the track. Howsumever, if you don't want me, I'll go +back." + +And Vose Adams, as if his dignity had received a mortal hurt, began +turning his mule around. + +"Hold on," interposed Captain Dawson; "you have put things in their +true light; we are very glad to have you with us." + +"That makes it all right," was the cheery response of the good natured +Vose; "I never like to push myself where I ain't wanted, but as you +seem glad to see me, after having the thing explained, we won't say +nothing more about it. Howsumever, I may add that I obsarved you +started in such a hurry that I thought it warn't likely you fetched +any vittles with you, so I made up a lunch and brought it with me, +being as you may not always have time to spare to shoot game." + +The chilliness of Vose Adams' greeting changed to the warmest welcome. +He had shown more thoughtfulness than any of them, and his knowledge +of the perilous route through the mountains was beyond value. Indeed, +it looked as if it was to prove the deciding factor in the problem. + +"Do you know our business, Vose?" asked the captain. + +"I knowed it the minute I seen you sneaking off like shadows toward +the trail. I hurried to my cabin, got a lot of cold meat and bread +together and then hunted up Hercules, my boss mule. He isn't very +handsome, but he has a fine voice and has been through these mountains +so many times that he knows the right road as well as me. I knowed you +would travel fast and didn't expect to overhaul you afore morning, but +you went past the right turn and that give me a chance to catch up +sooner." + +"But how was it you suspected our errand?" persisted the captain. + +"How could I help it? What else could it be? I seen the miss and the +leftenant start for Sacramento, and being as you took the same course +it was plain that you was going there too, if you didn't overtake 'em +first." + +"You saw them start!" thundered the father of Nellie Dawson; "why +didn't you hurry off to me with the news?" + +"Why should I hurry off to you with the news?" coolly asked Vose +Adams; "it wasn't the first time I had seen the two ride in that +direction; sometimes she was with you, or with the parson or Ruggles, +and once or twice with me. Would you have thought there was anything +wrong if you had seen them?" + +"No, I suppose not," replied the captain, seeing the injustice of his +words; "but I have been so wrought up by what has occurred that I can +hardly think clearly. I ask your pardon for my hasty words." + +"You needn't do that, for I see how bad you feel and I'm sorry for +you." + +"When was it they left?" + +"Early this afternoon." + +"There was no one with them of course?" + +"Nobody except that big dog they call Timon; he was frolicking 'round +the horses, as if he enjoyed it as much as them." + +Every atom of news was painful, and yet the afflicted father could not +restrain himself from asking questions of no importance. + +"About what hour do you think it was when they left?" + +"It must have been near two o'clock when the leftenant fetched up his +horse and the pony belonging to the young lady. She must have been +expectin' him, for she come right out of the house, without keeping +him waitin' a minute. He helped her into the saddle, while they talked +and laughed as happy as could be." + +This was wormwood and gall to the parent, but he did not spare +himself. + +"Did you overhear anything said by them?" + +"I wouldn't have considered it proper to listen, even if they hadn't +been so far off I couldn't catch a word that passed atween 'em." + +"Was there anything in their actions to show they intended to take a +longer ride than usual?" + +"I don't see how there could be," replied the puzzled Adams, while +Parson Brush, understanding what the distraught captain meant, +explained: + +"Was there anything in their appearance which suggested that they +meant to take anything more than an ordinary gallop?" + +"I didn't think of it at the time, but I can see now there was. Each +of them had what seemed to be extra clothing and perhaps they had +food, though I couldn't make sure of that. You know there has been +something in the sky that looked like a coming storm, and I thought it +was on that account that the clothing was took along. Then, as the +leftenant had knocked off work, it might be he was not feeling very +well." + +"The scoundrel made that very excuse for leaving me," bitterly +commented Captain Dawson, "but he wouldn't have taken the clothing as +part of the same design for there was no need of anything of the kind. +They laid their plans carefully and everything joined to make it as +easy as possible." + +"Your thoughts were precisely what ours would have been," said the +parson, drawn toward the messenger unjustly accused by the captain in +the tumult of his grief;" if we had seen the two start, we should have +believed it was for one of the usual gallops which the young lady is +so fond of taking; but, Vose, if we would have certainly gone astray +in the mountains, without your guidance, how will it be with them, +when she has never been over the trail and he has ridden over it but +once?" + +"They are sure to have a tough time of it which will make it all the +harder for us." + +"How is that?" + +"Some good luck may lead them right; more than likely, howsumever, +they'll get all wrong; therefore, if we stick to the path we may pass +'em a half dozen times. You see it's the blamed onsartinty of the +whole bus'ness." + +"I would not question your wisdom on such matters, Vose, but when I +remember that each of them is riding a horse, and that the two must +leave traces behind them, I cannot apprehend that we shall go very far +astray in our pursuit. The most likely trouble as it seems to me is +that they will travel so fast that it will be almost impossible to +overtake them." + +"If they can manage to keep to the trail, it is going to be hard work +to come up with them. You haven't forgot that when I'm pushing through +the mountains I sometimes have to hunt a new trail altogether." + +"That is due to the trouble with Indians?" + +"Precisely; sometimes it's a long, roundabout course that I have to +take, which may keep me off the main course for a couple of days, or +it may be for only a part of the day, but Injins is something that +you must count on every time." + +"And they are as likely to meet them as we?" + +"More so, 'cause they're just ahead of you. Oh, it was the biggest +piece of tomfoolery ever heard of for them to start on such a journey, +but what are you to expect of two young persons dead in love with each +other?" + +This was not the kind of talk that was pleasing to the father, and he +became morosely silent. It was equally repugnant to Ruggles and the +parson to hear Nellie Dawson referred to as being in love with the +execrated officer. Ruggles was grim and mute, and the parson deftly +drew the conversation in another direction. + +"I would like to ask you, Vose, how it was that Lieutenant Russell did +not take the other horses with him, so as to make it impossible for +anything in the nature of pursuit?" + +"There might be two reasons; he may have thought it would be mean to +hit you below the belt like that; he was too honorable--" + +"It warn't anything like _that_," fiercely interrupted Ruggles. + +"Then it must have been that if he had took all the animals with him, +even though they was a considerable way down the gulch, the thing +would have been noticed by others, who would have wanted to know what +it meant." + +"No doubt you have struck the right reason. Had the start been in the +night time, he would have made sure that not even the mules were left +for us. But, Vose," added the parson gravely, "we would be much better +pleased if when you referred to the lieutenant, you said nothing about +'honor.'" + +"Oh, I am as much down on him as any of you," airily responded Vose; +"and, if I git the chance to draw bead on him, I'll do it quicker'n +lightning. Fact is, the hope of having that same heavenly privilege +was as strong a rope in pulling me up the trail after you as was the +wish to keep you folks from gettin' lost. But, pards, Hercules is +rested and I guess likely your animals are the same, so let's be +moving." + +Although Captain Dawson had been silent during the last few minutes, +he did not allow a word to escape him. He knew Vose Adams was +talkative at times, due perhaps to his enjoyment of company, after +being forced to spend weeks without exchanging a word with any one of +his kind, but there was no overestimating his value, because of his +knowledge of the long, dangerous route through the mountains. When, +therefore, the party were about to move on, the captain said: + +"Vose, from this time forward you are the guide; the place for you is +at the head; you will oblige me by taking the lead." + +Vose accepted the post of honor, which was also the one of peril, for +it is the man in his position whose life hangs in the balance when +Indians are concerned. But there was no hesitancy on his part, though +he was well aware of the additional risks he incurred. + +"There's one good thing I can tell you," he said, just before they +started. + +They looked inquiringly at him and he explained: + +"The hardest part of the climbing is over,--that is for the time," he +hastened to add, seeing that he was not understood; "you'll have +plenty more of it before we see Sacramento, but I mean that we have +struck the highest part of the trail, and it will be a good while +before there's any more climbing to do." + +"That is good news," said Ruggles heartily, "for it has been mighty +tough on the animals; I 'spose too, the trail is smoother." + +Adams laughed. + +"I am sorry to say it's rougher." + +Ruggles muttered impatiently, but the four took up the task, Adams in +the lead, with the rest stringing after him in Indian file. The +declaration of Vose was verified sooner than was expected. While the +mule was so sure-footed that he seemed to meet with no difficulty, it +was excessively trying to the horses, who stumbled and recovered +themselves so often that Captain Dawson began to fear one or more of +them would go lame. Still in his anxiety to get forward, he repressed +his fears, hoping that there would be some improvement and cheering +himself with the belief that since all had gone well for so long, it +would continue on the same line. + + * * * * * + +Once, however, his horse made such an abrupt stumble that the captain +narrowly saved himself from being unseated. On the impulse of the +moment he called to Adams in advance: + +"Vose, I am afraid this won't do!" + +The leader did not look around and acted as if he had not heard him. + +"I say, Vose, isn't it better that we should wait till our horses can +see the way?" + +Since the leader took no notice of this demand, the captain concluded +his fears were groundless and said no more. + +"If he thinks it safe for us to keep on, I shall not oppose." + +But Captain Dawson might have opposed, had he known the truth, for, +strange as it may seem, Vose Adams did not hear the words addressed to +him, because he was asleep on the back of his mule Hercules, as he had +been many a time while riding over the lonely trail. In truth, there +was some foundation for his declaration that he could sleep more +soundly on the back of his animal than while wrapped up in his blanket +in some fissure among the rocks. Fortunately for him, however, these +naps were of short duration, and, while indulging in them, he relied +upon his animal, which had acquired a wonderful quickness in detecting +danger. The slightest lagging in his gait, a halt, a turning to one +side or a whinny was sufficient to bring back on the instant the +wandering senses of the rider. In the present instance his slumber was +not interrupted until Hercules, seeing exactly where he was, dropped +his walk to a lagging gait. + +On the very second Vose Adams opened his eyes. So naturally that no +one suspected anything, he checked his animal and looked around. + +"Pards, we've reached a ticklish spot, and it's for you to say whether +we shall wait for daylight afore trying it." + +"What is its nature?" asked the captain, as he and the two behind him +also reined up their animals. + +"The trail winds through these peaks in front, and instead of being +like that we've been riding over all along, keeps close to the side of +the mountain. On the right is the solid rock, and on the left it +slopes down for I don't know how many hundred feet, afore it strikes +bottom. Once started down that slide, you'll never stop till you hit +the rocks below like that mass of stone that tumbled over in front of +you." + +"How wide is the path?" asked the parson. + +"There's more than a mile where it isn't wide enough for two of us to +ride abreast, and there are plenty of places where a horse has got to +step mighty careful to save himself. Hercules knows how to do it, for +he larned long ago, but I have my doubts about your hosses." + +"It might have been better after all if we had brought the mules," +said the captain. + +"Not a bit of it, for Hercules is the only one that knows how to git +over such places." + +"How do the others manage it?" + +"They've never tried it in the night time; that's what I'm talking +'bout." + +Adams's description enabled the others to recall the place. It was all +that had been pictured and they might well pause before assuming the +fearful risk. One reason for wishing to press forward was the +knowledge that at the termination of the dangerous stretch, the trail +was so smooth and even that for a long distance it would be easy to +keep their animals at a gallop, while still further the peril appeared +again. + +Captain Dawson once more struck a match and looked at his watch. + +"Half-past three; in two hours it will begin to grow light; if no +accident happens we shall be at the end of the ugly piece of ground by +that time, where the traveling is good. It is a pity to lose the +opportunity, but I will leave it to you, parson and Ruggles; what do +you say?" + +"Our horses have been pushed pretty hard, but they are in good +condition. I hate to remain idle." + +"Then you favor going ahead?" + +"I do." + +"And you, Ruggles?" + +"I feel the same way." + +"That settles it; lead on, Vose." + +"I'm just as well suited, but keep your wits about you," was the +warning of the leader, whose mule instantly responded, stretching his +neck forward and downward and occasionally snuffing the ground, as if +he depended on his sense of smell more than that of hearing. + +The task was a nerve-wrenching one, and more than once each of the +three regretted their haste in not waiting for daylight; but, having +started, there was no turning back. To attempt to wheel about, in +order to retrace their steps, was more perilous than to push on, while +to stand still was hardly less dangerous. + +The moonlight gave such slight help that the four depended almost +wholly upon the instinct of their animals. Hercules never faltered, +but advanced with the slow, plodding, undeviating certainty of those +of his kind who thread their way through the treacherous passes of the +Alps. Once his hind hoof struck a stone which went bounding down the +precipice on his left, until at the end of what seemed several +minutes, it lay still at the bottom. Neither animal nor rider showed +the least fear, for in truth both were accustomed to little slips like +that. + +"I'm blessed if this isn't the most ticklish business that I ever +attempted," muttered Captain Dawson; "I never had anything like it in +the army; it reminds me of scouting between the lines, when you expect +every second a bullet from a sharpshooter--" + +At that instant his horse stepped on a round, loose stone which turned +so quickly that before he could recover himself the hoof followed the +stone over the edge of the precipice. The horse snorted and struggled +desperately, and the brave rider felt an electric shock thrill through +him from head to foot, for there was one moment when he believed +nothing could save them from the most frightful of deaths. + +The left hind leg had gone over the rocky shelf, which at that point +was very narrow, and the hoof was furiously beating vacancy in the +despairing effort to find something upon which to rest itself. His +body sagged downward and the rider held his breath. + +"Steady, my boy!" he called, and with rare presence of mind allowed +the rein to lie free so as not to disconcert the steed. + +The tremendous struggle of the intelligent animal prevailed and with a +snort he recovered his balance and all four feet stood upon firm +support. + +"That was a close call," observed the parson, whose heart was in his +mouth, while the brief fight for life was going on. + +"It was so close that it couldn't have been any closer," coolly +commented the captain, fully himself again. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A COLLISION + + +At this moment, the cheery voice of Adams called: + +"There's only about a hundred yards more of this, but we've now struck +the worst part of the whole trail." + +"If it is any worse than what we have just passed, it won't do to try +it," replied Captain Dawson, with the memory of his recent thrilling +experience still vivid with him. + +"We can do it, but we must foller a different plan." + +"What is that?" + +"We must lead our animals. There are plenty of places where you can +get off your horses with more comfort, but we can't stand here doing +nothing. Get to the ground the best way you know how." + +It was clear that the advice of the guide would have to be followed, +and all four set about the task with the cool daring shown from the +first. Since each man was to lead his animal, it was necessary to +dismount in front, instead of slipping over the tail, as would have +been easier. The beasts showed striking sagacity in this delicate +task. The trail was so narrow that to dismount to the left, on the +side of the dizzying precipice, made it impossible for a man to keep +his poise, while to descend on the right, directly beside the body of +the animal was almost certain to crowd him over into the gorge. Each, +therefore, lowered himself with infinite care over the right shoulder +of his steed, so well forward, that the horse by turning his head to +the left afforded just enough room for the trick to be done. Every one +dismounted in safety, each drawing a breath of relief when the +exquisitely delicate task was accomplished. + +Looking around in the gloom, Vose Adams saw that his friends stood on +the ground. + +"Are you all ready?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied Brush from the rear. + +"Hold the bridle so gentle that you can let go if your animal slips +off: if he has to go over the precipice, there's no need of your +follering him." + +Each man took his Winchester in hand, and loosely grasping the bridle +rein, began stealing forward, the captain's loss compelling him to +make his single arm answer for both purposes. The advance was +necessarily slow, for it was made with the utmost care. The path could +not have been more dangerous than for the brief stretch between them +and the broad, safe support beyond. + +Several times the trail so narrowed that each trembled through fear of +not being able to keep his balance, while it seemed absolutely +impossible for a horse to do so; but one of the strange facts +connected with that intelligent animal is that, despite his greater +bulk, he is generally able to follow wherever his master leads. So it +was that when a miner carefully turned his head, he saw his steed +following slowly but unfalteringly in his footsteps. + +It was soon perceived that this perilous stretch did not take a +straight course, but assumed the form of an immense, partial circle. +When half way around, the plodders came in sight of a huge rent in the +distant mountain wall, through which the sky showed nearly from the +zenith to the horizon. In this immense V-shaped space shone the moon +nearly at its full, and without a rift or fleck of cloud in front of +its face. + +A flood of light streamed through and between the encompassing peaks, +tinging the men and animals with its fleecy veil, as if some of the +snow from the crests had been sprinkled over them. On their left, the +craggy wall sloped almost vertically downward, the projecting masses +of rock displaying the same, fairy-like covering, ending in a vast, +yawning pit of night and blackness, into whose awful depth the human +eye could not penetrate. + +On the right, the mass of stone, rock and boulder, rugged, broken and +tumbled together, as if flung about by giants in sport, towered beyond +the vision's reach, the caverns, abysses and hollows made the blacker +and more impenetrable by the moonlight glinting against the protruding +masses. + +It was as if a party of Titans had run their chisels along the flinty +face of the mountain from the rear, gouging out the stone, with less +and less persistency, until they reached the spot where the men and +animals were creeping forward, when the dulled tools scarcely made an +impression sufficient to support the hesitating feet. + +Captain Dawson was but a few paces to the rear of Vose Adams's mule, +whose surety of step he admired and tried to imitate. + +"Training seems able to accomplish anything," reflected the captain; +"I remember how Lieutenant Russell and I stopped on the further edge +of this infernal place when we reached it one forenoon and spent +several hours trying to find a safer path. It kept us in a tremor +until we were across. Had any one told me that on the next journey I +should try it in the night, I would have believed him crazy, but," he +grimly added, "I would have thought the same, if I had been told that +a necessity like this would compel us to do so." + +The bridle rein was looped over his elbow, which extended behind him, +the same hand grasping his rifle, so that he advanced partly sideways +over the treacherous trail. He attempted to do nothing but look after +his own footsteps. Sometimes, when it was a little harder to pull the +rein, he slackened his pace. It would not do to hurry the animal, +since a slight disturbance might cause him to loose his footing. The +horse knew what was required of him and would do it better by being +left wholly to himself. + +It was because of this concentration of his mind upon the one thing +that the captain failed to perceive that the mule in his front had +stopped walking, until the rim of his slouched hat touched the tail of +the motionless animal. + +"Helloa, Vose, what's the matter?" + +The guide said something, but kept his face turned away, and his +words, instead of being in the nature of an answer, were addressed to +some one who confronted him. Adams was of slight stature, so that, +although he stood erect, it was easy for the captain to look over his +head and see what was beyond. That which was thus revealed was another +horseman leading his animal and coming toward them. He was advancing +in the same manner as the miners, that is by leading his horse, and, +meeting our friends thus face to face, it was impossible for either +party to pass: one or the other must give way and retreat. + +A startling feature of this meeting was that the individual who thus +confronted them was an Indian of gigantic stature. He was more than +six feet in height and of massive proportions. He belonged to what +were known as the "mountain Indians," who were brave and of +irrestrainable ferocity. They were the most dangerous people met by +the miners in the early days on the Pacific slope. + +Equity demanded that this particular specimen should back his horse +over the few yards to the point where the trail broadened, for the +task was possible of accomplishment, while the white men were unable +to force their animals in safety for one-half of the distance behind +them. Moreover, it was evident that this Indian had deliberately +started over the trail, with the knowledge of the four white men +approaching, so that a meeting was inevitable. He courted an encounter +with them and was in a murderous mood. + +Vose Adams knew all this and recognized the warrior as one of the +dreaded Indians, with whom he was better acquainted than were his +friends. He had had several scrimmages with them on his trips through +the mountains, and held them in such wholesome fear that he contrived +to avoid a direct conflict. The diminutive miner overflowed with +pluck, but in a hand to hand encounter, must be only a child in the +grasp of the aboriginal giant. The present situation, however, was +peculiar. + +There can be no doubt that this savage sought the meeting with the +party, for on no other supposition can his acts be explained. He must +have reasoned that on the narrow ledge his enemies would have to meet +him one by one and engage him single handed. He was like a chamois +that had lived all its life in these wild solitudes and was +surer-footed than any white man. What a triumph it would be (and was +it unreasonable to expect it?) for him to slay the insignificant pale +face immediately in his front, shove his mule over the precipice, and +then serve the remaining three in same fashion! + +"Get out of this!" were the words which Vose Adams addressed to the +Indian, directly after the question of Captain Dawson to himself, and +when the enemies were within six feet of each other; "there isn't room +for both of us; you knew that before you started; one of us has got to +give way and I'll be hanged if I do!" + +Inasmuch as the red man did not understand a word of English, it is +not to be supposed that he grasped the whole meaning of this command, +but the situation must have made it evident that he had been ordered +to back his horse and to open a way for the white men, and inasmuch as +he had come upon the trail for the express purpose of bringing about +this encounter, it seems hardly necessary to say that he failed to +obey the order. Instead, he repeated some words in his own language, +which it is not unlikely were of the same import as those addressed +to him, for he resolutely maintained his place. + +"I tell you," added Vose, raising his voice, as if that could help +make his meaning clear; "if you don't do as I say, somebody is going +to get hurt!" + +The warrior, who was carrying a rifle, stooped and gently let it fall +beside him. At the same moment he let go of the thong which served as +a bridle. Thus both hands were free and he crouched down with his +hideous face thrust forward and took a slow, half-step toward Adams. + +The coarse black hair dangling loosely about his shoulders, the broad +frightful countenance, which, however, was devoid of paint, the +glittering, basilisk-like eyes, the sinewy half-bent finger, with the +right fingers closed like a vise around the handle of the knife at his +waist, while gently drawing it forth, the catlike advance,--all these +made him so terrible an enemy that the bravest man might well doubt +the result of a meeting with him. + +And yet the closest scrutiny of Vose Adams would not have discovered +any tremor in his frame, or so much as a blanching of his face. He +fully comprehended the nature of the peril that impended, but with the +cool readiness of a veteran, he had fixed upon his line of action, in +the same moment that he read the purpose of his formidable enemy. + +The preliminary actions of the guide were similar to that of the +warrior. The bridle rein dropped from his hand, and, slightly +stooping, he let his Winchester fall to the ground beside him. Then +his knife flashed out and he was ready. + +Since only the mule was between Captain Dawson and the combatants, he +observed all this and interpreted its meaning. + +"Vose, what do you mean to do?" he sharply asked. + +"Have a little dispute with the fellow," replied Adams, without +removing his gaze from the face of the savage. + +"You mustn't do it." + +"It sorter looks as if it can't be helped, captain." + +"I shall prevent it." + +"How?" + +"Thus!" + +The captain had laid down his rifle and drawn his revolver, in the use +of which he was an expert. While thus engaged, he stooped down, so +that the interposing body of the mule, prevented the Indian from +observing what he was doing. When his weapon was ready and just as he +uttered his last word, he straightened up like a flash. Adams being of +short stature and in a stooping posture, gave him just the chance he +needed. His single arm was extended with the quickness of lightning +and he fired. The bullet bored its way through the bronzed skull of +the Indian, who, with an ear-splitting screech, flung his arms aloft, +leaped several feet from the ground, toppled sideways over the edge of +the trail and went tumbling, rolling and doubling down the precipice +far beyond sight, into the almost fathomless abyss below. + +"That's what I call a low down trick!" was the disgusted exclamation +of Adams, looking round with a reproachful expression. + +"Do you refer to the Indian?" asked the captain. + +"No; to you; I had just got ready for him and had everything fixed +when you interfered." + +"Vose, you are a fool," was the comment of his friend. + +"And why?" + +"That fellow was twice as big as you and you hadn't an earthly chance +in a fight with him." + +"Do you 'spose that is the first time I ever met a mountain Injin?" + +"You never fought one of that size in this spot." + +"What difference does the spot make?" + +"I want you to understand," said the captain with assumed gravity, +"that I didn't interfere out of any regard for you." + +"What the mischief are you driving at?" demanded the puzzled guide. + +"Under ordinary circumstances, I would have stood by and watched the +flurry, only wishing that the best man might win. That means, of +course, that you would have been the loser. But we need some one to +guide us through the mountains; you haven't done it yet; when your +work is over you may go and live on wild Indians for all I care." + +Vose quickly regained his good nature. He returned his knife to its +resting place, picked up his rifle, grasped the bridle rein and gently +pulled. + +"Come, Hercules; I don't know whether they appreciate us or not; +steady now!" + +"What are you going to do with that horse in front of you?" asked the +captain. + +"Hang it! if I didn't forget about him; back with you!" he commanded +with a gesture, moving toward the animal, who showed the intelligence +of his kind, by retrograding carefully until he reached the broad safe +place so anxiously sought by the others. There he wheeled and trotted +off, speedily disappearing from sight. + +"Vose, you might have traded Hercules for him." + +"Not much! I wouldn't give that mule for a drove of horses that have +belonged to these mountain Injins." + +"What's the matter with them? Aren't they as good as ours?" + +"They're too good; you can't tell what trick they'll sarve you; I was +once riding through these very mountains, on the back of a horse that +I picked up--it isn't necessary to say how--when his owner gave a +signal and the critter was off like a thunderbolt. If I hadn't slipped +from his back at the risk of breaking my neck, he would have carried +me right into a camp of hostiles and you would have been without your +invaluable guide on this trip." + +"That is important information--if true--helloa! it is growing light +off there in the east!" + +"Yes,--day is breaking," added Vose. + +The captain looked at his watch and found the time considerably past +five o'clock. They had been longer on the road than any one supposed, +and the coming of morning was a vast relief to all. + +The party were now grouped together, for the trail was broad and safe. +Parson Brush asked, as he pointed almost directly ahead: + +"Isn't that a light off yonder?" + +The guide gazed in that direction and replied: + +"Yes, but it comes from a camp fire, which isn't more than a half mile +away." + +The men looked in one another's faces and the captain asked in a +guarded voice, as if afraid of being overheard: + +"Whose fire is it?" + +"There's no saying with any sartinty, till we get closer, but I +shouldn't be 'sprised if it belong to the folks you're looking for." + +The same thought had come to each. There was a compression of lips, a +flashing of eyes and an expression of resolution that boded ill for +him who was the cause of it all. + +In the early morning at this elevation, the air was raw and chilling. +The wind which blew fitfully brought an icy touch from the peaks of +the snow-clad Sierras. The party had ridden nearly all night, with +only comparatively slight pauses, so that the men would have welcomed +a good long rest but for the startling discovery just made. + +Over the eastern cliffs the sky was rapidly assuming a rosy tinge. Day +was breaking and soon the wild region would be flooded with sunshine. +Already the gigantic masses of stone and rock were assuming grotesque +form in the receding gloom. The dismal night was at an end. + +The twinkling light which had caught the eye of Felix Brush appeared +to be directly ahead and near the trail which they were traveling. +This fact strengthened the belief that the fire had been kindled by +the fugitives. The illumination paled as the sun climbed the sky, +until it was absorbed by the overwhelming radiance that was +everywhere. + +The pursuers felt well rewarded for the energy they had displayed in +the face of discouragement and danger. Valuable ground had been +gained, and even now when they had supposed they were fully a dozen +miles behind the fugitives, it looked as if they had really caught up +to them, or at least were within hailing distance. + +Every eye was fixed on the point which held so intense an interest for +them. As the day grew, a thin, wavy column of smoke was observed +ascending from the camp fire, which was partly hidden among a growth +of scrub cedars, some distance to the right of the trail, whither it +must have been difficult for the couple to force their horses. + +"That leftenant ought to have knowed better than to do that," remarked +Vose Adams, "his fire can be seen a long way off." + +"What else could they do?" asked the captain. + +"The rocks give all the cover he needs." + +"But they could have no idea that we were so near," suggested the +parson. + +"It isn't that, but the leftenant had 'nough 'sperience with Injins on +his way through here before to know he's liable to run agin them at +any time. I never dared to do a thing like that on my trips." + +"Let's push on," said the captain, who saw no reason for tarrying now +that they had located the game. + +The ground was so much more favorable that the animals were forced to +a canter, though all were in need of rest. Little was said, and +Captain Dawson spurred forward beside Adams, who as usual was +leading. + +Wade Ruggles and Parson Brush also rode abreast. They were far enough +to the rear to exchange a few words without being overheard. + +"From the way things look," said Brush; "we shall have to leave +everything with the captain and he isn't likely to give us anything to +do." + +"He's mad clean through; I don't b'leve he'll wait to say a word, but +the minute he can draw bead on the leftenant, he'll let fly." + +"He is a fine marksman, but he may be in such a hurry that he'll +miss." + +"No fear of that; I wonder," added Ruggles, startled by a new thought, +"whether Vose has any idee of stickin' in his oar." + +"Likely enough." + +"I must git a chance to warn him that we won't stand any nonsense like +that! The best that we'll do is to promise him a chance for a crack +after you and me miss." + +"That won't be any chance at all," grimly remarked the parson. + +"Wal, it's all he'll have and he mustn't forgit it. There's some +things I won't stand and that's one of 'em." + +"We can't do anything now, but we may have a chance to notify him. If +the opportunity comes to me, he shall not remain ignorant." + +They were now nearly opposite the camp and the two noticed with +surprise that Adams and the captain were riding past it. + +"What's that fur?" asked the puzzled Ruggles. + +"That's to prevent them from fleeing toward Sacramento. When they find +we are on the other side, they will have to turn back." + +This was apparently the purpose of the men in advance, for they did +not draw rein until a hundred yards beyond the camp. Suddenly the two +halted, and half-facing around, waited until Brush and Ruggles joined +them. The explanation of the guide showed that his plan had been +rightly interpreted by Parson Brush. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE CAMP FIRE + + +The trail, as has been stated, was broad and comparatively level. The +slope of the mountain to the right was so moderate that it could be +climbed by a horse almost as readily as by a man. Its face was covered +with a growth of cedars, continuing half way to the summit, when it +terminated, only bleak masses of rock, sprinkled with snow, whose +volume increased with the elevation, being visible above and beyond. + +When the four pursuers came together, their faces showed that they +comprehended the serious business before them. It was seen that +Captain Dawson was slightly pale, but those who had been with him in +battle had observed the same peculiarity. Accompanied, as it was in +this instance, by a peculiar steely glitter of his eyes, it meant that +he was in a dangerous mood and the man who crossed his path did so at +his peril. + +It was evident that he and Vose Adams had reached an understanding +during the few minutes that they were riding in advance. The words of +Vose Adams were spoken for the benefit of Ruggles and the parson. + +"You'll wait here till I take a look at things." + +"What do you mean to do?" asked Brush. + +"I'm going up the slope on foot to find out how the land lays." + +"And when you find that out, what next?" + +"He is to come back and report to me," interposed the captain. + +There was a world of meaning in these words. It showed that the +captain allowed Adams to lead only when acting as a guide. In all +other matters, the retired officer assumed control. The opportunity of +Vose to pick off the offending lieutenant promised to be better than +that of any one else, since he would first see him, but he had been +given to understand that he must immediately return and let the +captain know the situation. Adams had promised this and he knew Dawson +too well to dare to thwart him. + +Brush and Ruggles could make no objection, keen though their +disappointment was. They watched Adams, as he slipped off his mule, +not deeming it worth while to utter the warning both had had in mind. +It was the parson who said: + +"I suppose we have nothing to do except to wait here till you come +back?" + +"It looks that way, but you must ask the captain." + +"You won't be gone long?" + +"I don't think so." + +"Be careful, but there's no need of waiting," said the captain. + +The three watched the guide until he disappeared from sight among the +cedars, when the captain added: + +"Vose told me that it was possible that camp fire had been started by +Indians, but it seems to me there is little likelihood of that." + +"Why?" + +"Those people are so skilled in woodcraft that they would have been on +the alert against our approach, for a brief survey of the trail for +the last half hour would have revealed us to them." + +"It may be," suggested the parson, "that with every reason to believe +there is no danger of anything of the kind, for it must be rare that a +white man passes along this trail, they did not keep a lookout." + +The captain shook his head. + +"From what I know of the American race, it is unlike them." + +"What knowledge have we that they have not maintained such a lookout +and discovered us as soon as we noticed the camp fire itself? They may +have formed an ambuscade at some point further along the trail." + +"It is a disturbing possibility and I would be alarmed, but for my +confidence in Vose. He has been through this region so often and knows +these wild people so thoroughly that he could not commit a blunder +like that. It seems to me," added the captain a few minutes, later, +"that he is absent a long time." + +"It's tough," remarked Ruggles, "that things are fixed so we won't +have a chance to take any hand in this bus'ness." + +The captain looked inquiringly at him and he explained: + +"You and Vose have set it up atween you." + +"I have told you that if your help is needed, it will be welcome; I +can add nothing to that." + +"The captain is right," interposed the parson, "but at the same time, +he can see what a disappointment it is for us." + +"I admit that, but we are not out of the woods yet." + +Before he could make clear the meaning of this remark, Vose Adams +emerged from the cedars, and the three breathlessly awaited his +coming. He broke into a trot and quickly descended the slope to where +they stood. The expression of his face showed before he spoke that he +brought unwelcome news. + +"Confound it!" he exclaimed with a shake of his head, "they're not +there!" + +"Then they have gone on up the trail," said the captain inquiringly. + +"No; they haven't been there; it isn't their camp." + +"Whose is it?" + +"Injins; there are five of 'em; they've just had their breakfast and +are gettin' ready to make a start." + +"Didn't they see you?" + +"That isn't the way I do bus'ness," replied Vose rather loftily; "it's +more'n likely, howsumever, they seen us all awhile ago when we was +further down the trail. They're traveling eastward." + +"How can you know that?" asked the parson. + +"The Injin that took his dive off the trail 'bout the time the captain +fired off his revolver, was going that way. He b'longed to the party +and was sorter leading 'em; he was a chief or something of the kind." + +"Where are their ponies?" + +"They haven't any,--leastways he was the only one that had, which is +why I said he was some kind of a chief. We shall hear from 'em agin." + +"Why?" + +"I mean after they find out about that little row." + +"Why need they find out about it?" + +"They can't help it; they'll miss their chief; they'll run across that +horse of his and that'll give 'em the clue." + +This unexpected discovery put a new face on matters. Five mountain +Indians, the bravest and most implacable of their race, were almost +within stone's throw of the party. But for the occurrence of a brief +while before, they probably would have permitted the white men to +continue their journey unmolested, since the strength of the two +bands, all things considered, was about equal, but when the hostiles +learned of the death of their leader, they would bend every effort +toward securing revenge. They would dog the miners, watchful, alert +and tireless in their attempts to cut them off from the possibility of +ever repeating the deed. + +"But that chief, as you seem to think he was," said Captain Dawson, +"is gone as utterly as if the ground had opened and swallowed him. +They will never have the chance to officiate at his funeral, so how +are they to learn of the manner of his taking off?" + +"It won't take 'em long," replied Adams; "his pony will hunt them out, +now that he is left to himself; that'll tell 'em that something is up +and they'll start an investigatin' committee. The footprints of our +horses, the marks on the rocks, which you and me wouldn't notice, the +fact that we met the chief on that narrer ledge and that he's turned +up missing will soon lay bare the whole story, and as I remarked +aforesaid, we shall hear from 'em agin." + +"It looks like a case of the hunter hunting the tiger," said the +parson, "and then awaking to the fact that the tiger is engaged +in hunting him; it is plain to see that there's going to be a +complication of matters, but I don't feel that it need make any +difference to us." + +"It won't!" replied the captain decisively; "we haven't put our hands +to the plough with any intention of looking back. What's the next +thing to do, Vose?" + +"We've got to look after our animals." + +"But there's no grass here for them." + +"A little further and we'll strike a stream of water where we'll find +some grass, though not much, but it's better than nothing." + +Vaulting into the saddle, the guide after some pounding of his heels +against the iron ribs of Hercules, forced him into a gallop, which the +others imitated. The trail continued comparatively smooth, and, being +slightly descending, the animals were not crowded as hard as it would +seem. A mile of this brought them to the water, where they were turned +loose. The stream gushed from the mountain side, and, flowing across +the trail, was lost among the rocks to the left. The moisture thus +diffused produced a moderate growth of tough, coarse grass, which the +animals began plucking as soon as the bits were removed from their +mouths. They secured little nutriment, but as the guide remarked, it +was an improvement upon nothing. The men bathed their faces in the +cold, clear water, took a refreshing draught, and then ate the lunch +provided for them by the thoughtful Adams. Though they ate heartily, +sufficient was kept to answer for another meal or two, if it should be +thought wise to put themselves on an allowance. + +They had just lighted their pipes, when Wade Ruggles uttered an +exclamation. Without explaining the cause, he bounded to his feet and +ran several rods to the westward, where he was seen to stoop and pick +something from the ground. He examined it closely and then, as he +turned about and came back more slowly it was perceived that he held a +white handkerchief in his hand. His action caused the others to rise +to his feet. + +"What have you there?" asked Captain Dawson, suspecting its identity. + +"I guess you have seen it before," replied Wade, handing the piece of +fine, bordered linen to him. He turned it over with strange emotions, +for he was quick to recognize it. + +"Yes," he said, compressing his lips; "it is hers; she dropped it +there--how long ago, Vose?" + +The latter examined the handkerchief, as if looking for the answer to +the question in its folds, but shook his head. + +"Even a mountain Injin could not tell that." + +The parson asked the privilege of examining the article. His heart was +beating fast, though no one else was aware of it, for it was a present +which he had made to Nellie Dawson on the preceding Christmas, having +been brought by Vose Adams, with other articles, on his trip made +several months before the presentation. There was the girl's name, +written by himself in indelible ink, and in his neat, round hand. It +was a bitter reflection that it had been in her possession, when she +was in the company of the one whom she esteemed above all others. + +"It may have been," reflected the parson, carefully keeping his +thoughts to himself, "that, when she remembered from whom it came, she +flung it aside to please him. Captain," he added, "since this was once +mine, I presume you have no objection to my keeping it." + +"You are welcome to it; I don't care for it," replied the parent. + +"Thank you," and the parson carefully put it away to keep company with +the letter of Nellie Dawson which broke her father's heart; "I observe +that it is quite dry, which makes me believe it has not been exposed +to the dew, and therefore could not have lain long on the ground." + +"You can't tell anything by that," commented Vose; "the air is so dry +up here, even with the snow and water around us, that there's no dew +to amount to anything." + +All seemed to prefer not to discuss the little incident that had +produced so sombre an effect upon the party. Wade Ruggles was disposed +to claim the handkerchief, inasmuch as it was he who found it, but he +respected the feelings of the parson too much to make any protest. + +The occurrence was of no special interest to the guide. He had said +they were in danger from the Indians and he gave his thoughts to them. +While the others kept their seats on the ground, he stood erect, and, +shading his eyes with one hand, peered long and attentively over the +trail behind them. The clump of cedars from amid which the thin column +of vapor was slowly climbing into the sky and the narrow ledge which +had been the scene of their stirring adventure were in view, though +its winding course shut a portion from sight. + +"I expected it!" suddenly exclaimed Vose. + +The others followed the direction of his gaze and saw what had caused +his words. The five Indians, whom Vose had discovered in camp, were +picking their way along the ledge, with their faces turned from the +white men, who were watching them. Despite the chilly air, caused by +the elevation, not one of the warriors wore a blanket. Two had bows +and arrows, three rifles, carried in a trailing fashion, and all were +lithe, sinewy fellows, able to give a good account of themselves in +any sort of fight. + +A curious fact noted by all of our friends was that while these +warriors were thus moving away, not one of them looked behind him. +Their long black hair hung loosely about their shoulders, and in the +clear air it was observable that three wore stained feathers in the +luxuriant growth on their crowns. + +"Is it possible that they have no suspicion of us?" asked the parson; +"their action in not looking around would imply that." + +"Don't fool yourself," was the reply of Adams; "they knowed of us +afore we knowed anything of them." + +"Why did they allow us to pass their camp undisturbed?" + +"Things weren't in the right shape for 'em. There are only three guns +among 'em, though them kind of Injins are as good with the bow as the +rifle, and they made up their minds that if we let them alone, they +wouldn't bother us." + +"You said awhile ago that we should have trouble from them." + +"And so we shall; when they reasoned like I was sayin', they didn't +know anything about the little accident that happened to their chief; +it's that which will make things lively." + +"We can't see the point where that accident took place," said Captain +Dawson. + +"No; the trail curves too much, but we can foller it most of the way; +they're likely to go right on without 'specting anything, but when +they find the horse, it'll set 'em to looking round. After that, the +band will begin to play." + +While the party were watching the five Indians, the leader was seen +to pass from view around the curve in the trail, followed by the next, +until finally the fifth disappeared. All this time, not one of the +warriors looked behind him. It was a singular line of action, and +because of its singularity roused the suspicion of the spectators. + +While three of the miners resumed their seats on the boulders and +ground, Vose Adams kept his feet. Doubling each palm, so as to make a +funnel of it, he held one to either eye and continued scrutinizing the +point where he had last seen the hostiles. He suspected it was not the +last of them. Instead of imitating him, his friends studied his +wrinkled countenance. + +The air in that elevated region was wonderfully clear, but it is +hardly possible to believe the declaration which the guide made some +minutes later. He insisted that, despite the great distance, one of +the Indians, after passing from view, returned over his own trail and +peeped around the bend in the rocks, and that the guide saw his black +hair and gleaming snake-like eyes. The fact that Vose waited until the +savage had withdrawn from sight, before making the astonishing +declaration, threw some discredit on it, for it would have required a +good telescope to do what he claimed to have done with the unassisted +eye alone. + +"You see I was looking for something of the kind," he explained, "or +mebbe I wouldn't have obsarved him." + +"Could you tell the color of his eyes?" asked the doubting Ruggles. + +"They were as black as coal." + +"It is safe to say that," remarked the parson, "inasmuch as I never +met an Indian who had eyes of any other color." + +"There are such," said Vose, "and I've seen 'em, though I'll own +they're mighty scarce and I never knowed of any in this part of the +world. Howsumever, I won't purtend that I could see the color of a +man's eyes that fur, but I did see his hair, forehead and a part of +his ugly face. He knowed we was behind him all the time, and this one +wanted to find out what we was doing. When he larned that, they kept +on along the ledge, but there's no saying how fur they'll go afore +they find something's gone wrong." + +Captain Dawson showed less interest in this by-play than the others. +He was not concerned with what was behind them, so much as with what +was in front. The belief was so strong with him that their persistent +travel through the night had brought them close to the fugitives that +he begrudged the time necessary for the animals to rest and eat. + +Parson Brush felt that Adams was acting wisely in giving attention to +the rear. It would be the height of folly to disregard these +formidable warriors when they meant trouble. Brush rose to his feet +and using his palms as did the guide, scanned the country behind +them. + +He saw nothing of any warrior peering around the rocks, but he did see +something, which escaped even the keen vision of Vose Adams himself. +Beyond the ledge and a little to the left, he observed a riderless +horse, with head high in air, and gazing at something which the two +white men could not see. The parson directed the attention of Vose to +the animal. + +"By gracious! it's the chief's horse," he exclaimed; "do you see +that?" + +The other two were now looking and all plainly saw a warrior advance +into view, approaching the animal, which, instead of being frightened, +seemed to recognize his friends, and remained motionless until the +Indian came up and grasped the thong about his neck. Then the two +passed from sight. + +The identical thing prophesied by Vose Adams had occurred under the +eyes of the four pursuers. The steed of the dead chieftain had been +recovered, and it would not take the hostiles long to penetrate the +mystery of the matter. Vose was wise in taking the course he did, and +his companions were now inclined to believe his astonishing assertion +that he saw one of the number when he peeped around the curving ledge +and watched their actions. + +However, it would have been absurd to wait where they were in order to +learn every move of their enemies, for that would have been a +voluntary abandonment of the advantage secured at the cost of so much +labor and danger. Captain Dawson insisted that the pursuit should be +pressed without any thought of the red men, and Vose consented. + +"But there's one thing we mustn't forget, captain," he said, "and that +is that it is daytime and not night." + +"I do not catch your meaning," replied the captain, pausing on the +point of moving off to secure his horse. + +"It is this: them people in front will keep as sharp an eye to the +rear as to the front; more'n likely it will be sharper, and it will be +a bad thing if they discover us when we're two or three miles off." + +"How shall we prevent it?" + +"We can do it, if we're careful. You'll remember that when you went +over this route last, you come upon places where you could see for a +mile or more, 'cause the trail was straight and broad, while there are +others where you can't see more'n a hundred yards. Them that I've +named last is where we must overhaul 'em." + +"That sounds well, Vose," said the captain, "but I am unable to see +how you are going to manage so as to bring that about." + +"While you're getting the animals ready, I'll take a look ahead." + +This was not in the nature of an explanation, but the three willingly +did their part. Vose disappeared almost instantly, and, though they +took but a few minutes to prepare their animals for the resumption of +travel, he was back among them, the expression of his face showing +that he brought news of importance. + +"They ain't fur off," he said. + +"How far?" asked the captain. + +"I can't say anything more than that we're purty close to 'em. Let's +push on!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +STRANGERS + + +The signs of an approaching storm that had been noted with some +apprehension the night before, passed away. The sky revealed hardly a +cloud rift, and, when the sun had climbed the mountain crests, the +scene was grand beyond description. But for the grim errand of the +four men, holding relentlessly to the pursuit, they must have yielded +to its impressive influence. + +The trail remained so favorable for a couple of miles further, that it +was passed at the same easy, swinging gallop. Vose Adams retained his +place a few paces in advance of the others, who saw him glance sharply +to the right and left, often to the ground and occasionally to the +rear, as if to assure himself that none of his friends was going +astray. + +The moderate but continuous descent of the path took them so far +downward that the change of temperature again became noticeable. The +ground was rough and uneven and the animals dropped to a walk. +Sometimes the course led around boulders, through sparse growths of +cedar, beside brawling torrents, two of which they were compelled to +ford, where it was hard for their animals to keep their feet. + +"Last fall," remarked the guide, at the most difficult of these +passages, "I had to wait two days before I dared try to cross with +Hercules and one of the other mules." + +His companions nodded their heads but made no other answer. They were +not in the mood for talking. + +They were now making their way through a canyon similar to Dead Man's +Gulch, with rents and yawning ravines opening on the right and left, +before which the party might have halted in perplexity, had it been in +the night time. But the path showed plainly and the familiarity of the +guide prevented any mistake on his part. + +Adams had intimated that by a certain line of procedure the watchful +fugitives could be prevented from discovering the approach of the +pursuers until too late to escape them. In counting upon his ability +to do this, he overestimated his skill, for the task was clearly +impossible, and it was because of his efforts in that direction that +he made a serious blunder. He had crossed for the third time a stream +which was shallow, and, upon reaching the opposite bank, where the +ground was moist and soft, he reined up with an exclamation of +impatience. + +"What's the matter?" asked Captain Dawson, in the same mood. + +"We've passed 'em," was the reply; "they're somewhere behind us." + +"How far?" + +"That remains to be found out, but I don't think it's a great +distance." + +The captain angrily wheeled his horse and re-entered the stream. + +"If they don't get away, it won't be our fault," was his ungracious +comment; "we have done little else than throw away our chances from +the first." + +The guide made no response, and the next minute the four were +retracing their course, their animals at a walk, and all scanning the +rocks on either hand as they passed them. + +It was clear by this time that the fugitives held one important +advantage over their pursuers. The route that they were following was +so devious and so varied in its nature, that only at rare intervals +could it be traced with the eye for a quarter or half a mile. Certain +of pursuit, Lieutenant Russell and his companion would be constantly +on the lookout for it. They were more likely, therefore, to discover +the horsemen than the latter were to observe them. Even if their +flight was interrupted, there were innumerable places in this immense +solitude where they could conceal themselves for an indefinite +period. + +The question the pursuers asked themselves was whether the others had +strayed unwittingly from the trail, or whether they had turned off to +elude their pursuers, whose desperate mood they could not but know. +The latter supposition seemed the more likely, since the path was +marked so plainly that it could be lost only by unaccountable +carelessness. + +At the first break in the side of the vast mountain walls Vose Adams +again slipped from his mule and spent several minutes in studying the +ground. + +"They haven't gone in here," was his comment, as he remounted. + +"Make certain that we are not too far back," said the captain. + +"I have made no mistake," was the curt reply of the guide. The party +had gone less than twenty rods further, when another rent opened on +the other side of the canyon, which was about an eighth of a mile wide. +It would not do now to slight anything, and Adams headed his mule +diagonally across the gorge, the animal walking slowly, while the +rider leaned over with his eyes on the ground. Suddenly he exclaimed: + +"We've hit it this time! Here's where they went in!" + +All four leaped from the back of their animals. Adams pointed out the +faint indentations made by the hoofs of two horses. Less accustomed +than he to study such evidence, they failed to note that which was +plain to him; the hoof prints of one of the animals were smaller than +those of the other, since they were made by Cap, the pony belonging to +Nellie Dawson. There could no longer be any doubt that the pursuers +were warm on the trail of the fugitives. + +Such being the fact, the interest of the men naturally centered on the +avenue through which the others had made their way. + +It was one of those fissures, sometimes seen among enormous piles of +rock, that suggest that some terrific convulsion of nature, ages +before, has split the mountain in twain from top to bottom. The latter +was on a level with the main canyon itself, the chasm at the beginning +being ten or twelve yards in width, but, occurring in a depression of +the mountain spur, its height was no more than five or six hundred +feet, whereas in other localities it would have been nearly ten times +as great. The base was strewn with fragments of sandstone, some of the +pieces as large as boulders, which had probably been brought down by +the torrents that swept through the ravine in spring or when a +cloudburst descended upon the upper portion. + +Standing at the entrance, it was observed that the gorge trended +sharply to the left, so that the view was shut off at a distance of +fifty yards. It was noticeable, too, that the path taken by the +fugitives sloped upward at so abrupt an angle that it must have sorely +tried the horses. + +"I thought so," was the comment of Vose Adams, when he returned from a +brief exploration of the ravine; "they got off and led their +animals." + +"Have you any idea of the distance they went?" asked Captain Dawson, +who was in a more gracious mood, now that he appreciated the value of +the services of their guide. + +"No; I've rid in front of that opening a good many times, but this is +the first time I ever went into it." + +"Well, what is to be done?" asked Parson Brush. + +"Why, foller 'em of course," Wade Ruggles took upon himself to reply. + +"That won't do," replied Adams, "for it is likely to upset everything; +I'll leave Hercules with you and sneak up the gorge far enough to find +how the land lays. I'll come back as soon as I can, but don't get +impatient if I'm gone several hours." + +Brush and Ruggles showed their displeasure, for, while admitting the +skill of the guide, they could not see adequate cause for the +impending delay. They had made so many slips that it seemed like +inviting another. It was clear that they were close upon the +fugitives, and the two believed the true policy was to press the +pursuit without relaxing their vigor. But Captain Dawson, the one who +naturally would have been dissatisfied, was silent, thereby making it +apparent that Adams was carrying out a plan previously agreed upon by +the two. + +Vose paid no heed to Ruggles and the parson, but started up the +ravine, quickly disappearing from view. Believing a long wait +inevitable, the three prepared to pass the dismal interval as best +they could. Here and there scant patches of grass showed in the canyon, +and the animals were allowed to crop what they could of the natural +food. The men lounged upon the boulders at hand, smoked their pipes +and occasionally exchanged a few words, but none was in the mood for +talking and they formed a grim, stolid group. + +Hardly ten minutes had passed, when Ruggles, with some evidence of +excitement, exclaimed in a guarded undertone: + +"Helloa! Something's up!" + +He referred to the horses, who are often the most reliable sentinels +in the presence of insidious danger. Two of them had stopped plucking +the grass, and, with their ears pricked, were staring up the canyon at +some object that had attracted their attention and that was invisible +to their owners in their present situation. + +Convinced that something unusual had taken place, Ruggles walked out +into the canyon where he could gain a more extended view. One sweeping +glance was enough, when he hurried back to his companions. + +"Thunderation! all Sacramento's broke loose and is coming this way!" + +The three passed out from the side of the gorge to where they had a +view of the strange procession. There seemed to be about a dozen men, +mounted on mules, with as many more pack animals, coming from the west +in a straggling procession, talking loudly and apparently in exuberant +spirits. + +"I don't like their looks," said Brush; "it is best to get our +property out of their way." + +The counsel was good and was followed without a minute's delay. The +four animals were rounded up and turned into the ravine, up which Vose +Adams had disappeared. They gave no trouble, but, probably because of +the steepness of the slope, none of the four went beyond sight. Had +the three men been given warning, they would have placed them out of +reach, for none knew better than they how attractive horses are to men +beyond the power of the law. But it was too late now, and the little +party put on a bold front. + +As the strangers drew near, they were seen to be nine in number and +they formed a motley company. Their pack mules were so cumbrously +loaded as to suggest country wagons piled with hay. The wonder was how +the tough little animals could carry such enormous burdens, consisting +of blankets, picks, shovels, guns, cooking utensils, including even +some articles of furniture. + +Our older readers will recall that for years after the close of the +war, tens of thousands of the blue army overcoats were in use +throughout the country. It looked as if every man in the present +company was thus provided, including in many instances trousers of the +same material, though each person had discarded the army cap for a +soft slouch hat, similar to those worn by the miners. All the garments +were in a dilapidated condition, proving their rough usage as well as +their poor quality. Many of the heavy boots disclosed naked toes, +while the mules had not known a curry comb for weeks and perhaps +months. + +The faces of the men were anything but attractive. Most of them were +heavily bearded, with long, frowsy, unkempt hair, dangling about the +shoulders. Every one displayed side arms, and there could be no +mistake in setting them down as a reckless lot, whom a peaceable +citizen would not care to meet anywhere. + +The leader of this mongrel gang was a massive man, who bestrode so +small a mule that his feet were only a few inches from the ground. +There was little semblance of discipline in the company, but a certain +rude deference to the fellow, who kept his place at the head, and did +the loudest talking, ornamented with plenty of expletives, indicated +his prominence among his fellows. + +The mountain tramps had descried the three men standing at the side of +the canyon, watching them as they approached. They ceased their +boisterous talking and studied them as they drew near. + +"Howdy, pards?" called the leader, raising his two fingers to his +forehead and making a military salute, to which our friends responded +coolly, hoping the company would keep on without stopping. + +But they were disappointed. Colonel Briggs, as his men called him, +suddenly shouted "Whoa!" in a voice that could have been heard a mile +off, and pulled so hard on his bridle rein that he drew the jaws of +the mule against his breast, while the rider lay back almost on the +haunches of his animal, who showed his contrariness by walking round +in a short circle before standing still. + +"Which way, pards?" asked the leader, while his followers, who with +more or less effort succeeded in checking their mules, curiously +surveyed the three miners. + +"We intend to visit Sacramento," replied Captain Dawson. + +"Huh! that's where we come from." + +"On your way to the diggings I presume?" continued the captain +courteously. + +"That's what's the matter; we're going to New Constantinople, which is +the name of a mining settlement in Dead Man's Gulch. Do you know +anything of the place?" + +"We live there." + +"The deuce! Queer town, ain't it?" + +"In what respect?" + +"Don't like visitors; Red Tom and Missouri Mike, two of the gang with +me, stopped there a year or so ago with the idee of staying; the best +they could do was to sleep there one night and git fired the next +morning. That went agin the grain," continued Colonel Briggs, "and the +more the boys thought it over the madder they got. When they told the +rest of us, we made up our minds that the trouble was the diggings had +panned out so rich in them parts that the folks meant to keep 'em to +themselves. I don't call that square, so we're going down to divvy +with 'em. Big scheme, ain't it?" + +Our three friends were astounded. The addition of this gang to New +Constantinople meant nothing less than its moral ruin. It would bring +a peril from the first hour and doubtless precipitate a murderous +conflict with a doubtful issue. + +"They are a peculiar people," said Captain Dawson, repressing all +evidence of his anger; "it's a mistake to attribute their prejudice +against immigrants to the richness of the diggings, for though they +have been worked for years, they have not produced much. But they want +no strangers among them, and I know they will not allow you and your +friends to make your homes in their settlement." + +Colonel Briggs threw back his head, opened his enormous mouth and +broke into uproarious laughter, most of his companions joining him to +the extent of a broad grin. + +"Do you hear that, boys? Won't let us settle among 'em, eh? And there +are nine of us and we hain't had a scrimmage since we left Sacramento, +except with the Injins, which don't count. Stranger, we're yearning to +hear your folks say we shan't jine 'em, 'cause if they try to stop it, +it'll make things lively." + +It was not a pleasant recollection of our friends that, since their +departure from New Constantinople, the force left behind would be +hardly a match for this desperate gang of marauders, who no doubt were +as eager for trouble as they professed to be. + +"Why not make a settlement of your own?" was the conciliating question +of Parson Brush; "there's plenty of room in this country." + +"That would be too peaceable like; it don't suit us; we're looking for +trouble." + +"And you'll find it powerful quick," said Wade Ruggles, "if you try to +shove that gang of yours into New Constantinople." + +"That's music in our ears; that's what we're hungry for; we're ready +to start an opposition hotel to the Heavenly Bower, too; we've got the +stock to furnish it." + +"Wade," said the parson, "keep your temper; we can't afford to quarrel +with these men." + +"It wouldn't take much for me to shoot that chap off his mule as he +sets there." + +"Leave matters to the captain; it looks as if we shall have a fight, +but it is best to keep cool." + +The observant trio had noticed an additional cause for uneasiness. +More than one of the party were surveying the three horses and mule +with admiring eyes. Some of them spoke to one another in low tones, +and there could be no doubt they looked with envy upon the animals, +which, tiring of their confinement in the ravine, had come forth as if +with the purpose of passing under review, on their way to crop the +grass from which they had been driven. + +"Colonel," called one of the men behind him, "them is likely +animals." + +"I had obsarved that fact myself; strangers, I've made up my mind to +buy them critters; what's your price?" + +"They are not for sale," replied Captain Dawson. + +"Why not?" + +"We need them for our own use." + +"Then we'll trade." + +"You won't do anything of the kind," said the captain, speaking with +the utmost coolness, but with that paling of the countenance and +glitter of the eyes that Colonel Briggs would have done well to heed. + +"Strikes me, stranger, you're rather peart in your observations," said +the leader with an odd chuckle; "we ain't used to having people speak +to us in that style." + +"It is my custom to say what I mean; it saves misunderstanding." + +"It's my opinion, stranger, you'd better say trade." + +"It is of no importance to me what your opinion is; we need the horses +and the mule for our own use and we shall keep them." + +"But you've got one more than you want." + +"He belongs to a friend who is not far off and will soon return; we +can't spare one of them." + +"If we give you four of ours for the lot, that'll make an even thing +of it. Besides, we'll throw in something to boot." + +"I wouldn't give one of the horse's shoes for all the trash you have +piled on top of your animals; the stuff isn't worth house room, but it +is what I should expect to see in the hands of a lot of tramps like +you and yours; I wouldn't trade our mule for the whole party which, to +judge by their looks, ought to be in jail." + +Brush and Ruggles were amazed to hear the captain use such language, +for it sounded as if he was trying to provoke instead of avoid a +fight. The truth was the veteran was thoroughly enraged by the +evident purpose of the fellow before him. Although his voice was low +and deliberate, the captain's temper was at a white heat. The point +had been reached where a desperate struggle seemed unavoidable, and he +wished to precipitate the crisis, inasmuch as it had to come. + +Colonel Briggs did not laugh, but turning his head, talked for a +minute with the man nearest him, their words so low that no one else +heard them. Then the leader turned back in a quick, decisive way. + +"There don't seem much use in talking, stranger, so 'spose we make a +fight of it." + +"As you prefer." + +The gang hardly expected so firm a front. Some of them muttered to one +another. They were not a unit on the question, though it was evident +that the majority preferred to fight. + +The three men stood with their backs almost against the mountain wall. +Each had a Winchester and revolver and all were expert in the use of +the weapons. The others were gathered in an irregular group around +their leader. They, too, were provided with all the weapons they could +use, not to mention the extra guns strapped upon the pack mules. They +outnumbered our friends three to one. + +Captain Dawson could use his rifle as well with his single arm as +formerly with two. + +"He can't fire before me," he said in an undertone to Brush, standing +next to him; "when the shooting begins, I'll drop him off his mule +before he knows what's coming. When I say the word, let fly as quick +as lightning! Likely enough they'll win, but we'll make them pay high +for their victory." + +"Do you notice that tall thin man at the rear?" asked Brush, in the +same guarded voice; "his eyes shine like a rattlesnake's; he'll be +_my_ first target." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +FRIENDS + + +Colonel Briggs was nonplussed for the moment. He had failed to scare +the men whom he meant to despoil of their property and some of the +mutterings behind him showed that he lacked the unanimous support of +his followers. + +"Boys," he said, looking round in their faces; "you've heerd what +these strangers say to my mild requests. Since they are too mean to +trade, I leave it to you to say whether we shall let up on 'em or make +'em trade; which is it?" + +"Trade! trade!" was the response, given with such ardency that there +seemed to be no dissent, though there was. + +"That hits me right; trade it shall be; the first one of the strangers +that kicks, fill him full of holes." + +"And the first man that lays a finger on my property," said Captain +Dawson, in the same deliberate voice, "will be shot down like a dog!" + +The person whom Parson Brush had selected a few minutes before for +his first target and whom he was watching closely, now did an +extraordinary thing. This individual was thin to emaciation. His +beard was scant and scraggly, and his large black eyes gleamed like +those of a wild animal. He had a very long body, and sat so upright +in his saddle, with his Winchester resting across in front, that he +towered head and shoulders above his companions. From the first, +he fixed his penetrating eyes on Captain Dawson and studied him +closely. It was this persistent intensity of gaze that attracted +the notice of Brush, who set him down as being even more malignant +than the leader of the disreputable party. + +When a collision was impending, and must have come the next second, +the singular looking man, grasping his revolver, raised his hand above +his head and called: + +"Hold on a minute!" + +His commanding voice and manner hushed every one. From his place at +the rear, he spurred his mule straight toward the three men standing +on the ground. + +"Keep off!" commanded the parson; "if you come any nearer I'll +shoot!" + +The extraordinary looking individual gave him no heed, but forced his +mule in front of Captain Dawson, upon whom he kept his eyes riveted. + +"Don't fire till I give the word," commanded the captain, who had +become suddenly interested in the tall, slim man. + +Halting his mule directly before Dawson, and with no more than a +couple of yards separating them, the stranger craned his head forward +until his chin was almost between the long ears of his animal. He +seemed to be trying to look the officer through, while every other man +watched the curious proceeding. + +Suddenly the fellow resumed his upright posture in the saddle, his +manner showing that he had solved the problem that perplexed him. +Through his thin, scattered beard, he was seen to be smiling. + +"What's your name?" he asked. + +"Maurice Dawson." + +"Formerly captain of the Iowa ---- cavalry?" + +"The same at your service." + +"Don't you know me, captain?" + +The officer thus appealed to took a single step forward, and looked +searchingly in the face of the man that had thus addressed him. + +"There is something familiar in your looks and voice, but I am unable +to place you." + +"Did you ever hear of Corporal Bob Parker of the ---- Missouri?" + +"Yes; you are he! I recognize you now! I am glad to greet you." + +And shoving his Winchester under the stump of his arm, Captain Dawson +extended his hand to his old comrade and shook it warmly, the two +seeming to forget the presence of every one else. + +"Something in your face struck me," said the corporal, "but I wasn't +sure. The last time I saw you, you had both arms." + +"Yes; I got rid of this one at the very close of the war." + +"Things were pretty well mixed up around Petersburg; I tried to get on +your track, but failed; I knew you meant to come to California, and +when we drifted here, I was hopeful of finding you, but I didn't think +it would be in this style." + +While speaking the corporal had retained the hand of the captain, +shaking it occasionally as he spoke. He now gave it a final pressure +and dropped it. + +"Captain, you and I went through some pretty tough scrimmages and you +were always dead true and game; when we lost our colonel and major, +you took command and led the charge that day at Cold Harbor; Grant or +Sheridan couldn't have done better." + +"It _was_ rather warm," smiled the captain, blushing at the +compliment; "but, corporal, it looks as if we are going to have +something of the kind here." + +Corporal Parker deliberately turned to the wondering group behind +him. + +"Jim and Tom, you know what we agreed on, if this should prove to be +my old commander. You two wore the gray, but you are true blue now." + +At this reminder, two of the company without a word rode forward and +placed themselves beside the corporal. + +"Now, we'll face the other way." + +His suggestion was followed. The three wheeled their animals around, +so that their riders, like the footmen, were in a line confronting +Colonel Briggs and his astonished company. + +"Dress," said the corporal, looking down and moving his mule about +until the alignment would have drawn a compliment from a West Point +cadet. + +"Now, boys, are your shooting irons ready?" + +"They gin'rally air," was the significant response of one of the men. + +"All right, colonel," added the corporal making a military salute; +"everything being in readiness please let the skirmish proceed." + +Colonel Briggs emitted a forceful exclamation. + +"What's the meaning of all this? I don't understand it." + +"There are six on each side; that evens matters; shall you start the +music or do you prefer to have the captain fire the opening gun?" + +"But you haven't told me what this means." + +"It means that Captain Dawson and Corporal Bob Parker have drunk from +the same canteen." + +It must be conceded that Colonel Briggs had one merit; no one was +quicker than he to grasp a situation. So long as there were nine men +on one side and three on the other, the success of the former was +promising. He meant to crowd the defiant miners to the wall and would +have done so but for the unprecedented turn of affairs. Now it was six +to six and he knew the mettle of the three recruits that had joined +the miners. Bob Parker was the most terrific fighter in the whole +company. He was one of those men, occasionally seen, who was +absolutely without fear. He would have stood up alone and fought the +other eight. During that single week in Sacramento, he gained the name +of a terror and caused a sigh of relief on the part of the authorities +when he left for the mountains. + +The corporal always fired to kill, and his skill with rifle and pistol +was marvelous. While talking with Colonel Briggs, he fixed his +brilliant black eyes on him, as if to intimate that he had selected +_him_ for his pet antagonist. All this was disconcerting. + +In this crisis, when every nerve was drawn tense and the question of +life and death hung on the passing of a breath, Colonel Briggs leaned +backward and elevating his chin in the way that had become familiar, +emitted one of his resounding laughs. Then he abruptly snapped his +jaws together like the springing of a trap. + +"Why, Bob, this puts a different face on things," he said cheerily; +"if the man's a friend of yours, of course we can't quarrel with +him." + +"I rather think not," replied the corporal. + +"I was in the army myself," added the colonel, "but didn't stay long; +me and General Grant couldn't agree as to how the war should be run, +and one night when no one was around, I resigned and left." + +"Then you didn't win your title in the service," remarked Captain +Dawson, who felt that he could afford to show good will, now that the +situation had taken so remarkable a turn. + +"Scarcely; the boys think that no officer lower than a colonel is fit +to command this crowd, so that's how I got the handle." + +Captain Dawson could not forbear saying: + +"I think it much more befitting that a true and tried soldier, like +Corporal Parker, should be in your place." + +"It was offered to me," said the corporal, "but I refused it." + +"No; we agreed to make him a full-fledged major-general, but he +declined the honor with some sarcastic remarks," said the colonel; +"howsumever, boys, now that things have been straightened out, do you +intend to go with the captain or with us?" + +Corporal Parker addressed his two comrades. + +"Wheel and salute!" + +They faced their animals around, and, taking the cue from the +corporal, made an elaborate military salutation to Captain Dawson and +his companions. Then they wheeled again and rode back to their former +places. + +"With my best regards," added the colonel, also saluting, while the +rest half-nodded and grinned over the odd turn of affairs. Dawson, +Brush and Ruggles unbent sufficiently to respond, but kept their +places, side by side, and watched the curious procession until it +passed out of sight beyond a sweeping curve in the canyon. + +"I wonder if we are likely to see any more of them," said the parson; +"they are an ugly lot and badly want our horses." + +"Not badly enough to fight Corporal Parker and his two friends. The +corporal is the bravest man I ever saw. I know he was disappointed +when the colonel was so quick in backing down. He will go hungry for +two or three days, for the sake of a fight. It is he and not the +colonel or any one in the company that is spoiling for a row." + +"And I picked him out as the first one to shoot," grimly remarked +Brush. + +"The chances are ten to one that he would have dropped you first, but +it shows how easily one may be mistaken." + +"I tell you," said Ruggles earnestly, "when that gang strikes New +Constantinople, there'll be trouble." + +"There's no doubt of it," commented Brush; "the forces will be about +equal; if the boys at home could have warning of what is coming, they +would make it so hot for Colonel Briggs and his tramps that they would +be glad to camp somewhere else." + +"That wouldn't improve matters, for of necessity there would be +passing back and forth, and there are some people at New Constantinople +who would welcome the change. That's the worst of it; a good deal of +this evil seed will fall on soil waiting for it." + +"We may be back in time to take a hand in the business," said the +parson; "I don't know whether your friend, the corporal, can be +secured as an ally." + +"It is doubtful, for about the only merits he has are his bravery and +his loyalty to his friends." + +"In my 'pinion the same is considerable," commented Ruggles. + +"He would be a powerful friend to Nellie, because she is a female and +because she is my daughter, but," added the father with a sigh, "I +have my doubts whether I shall ever take her to the settlement +again." + +This announcement strangely affected the two who heard it, for the +dearest schemes which they secretly nourished included the spending +of their days in the mining settlement. The hope of each had flickered +into life once more with the prospect of recovering and punishing her +abductor. They knew that she would bitterly mourn his loss, and would +probably be inconsolable for a time, but the months and years would +bring forgetfulness and then--who should say what _might_ come to +pass? + +"We thought," remarked Ruggles, as they resumed their seats, "that we +should have a weary wait for Vose, but it didn't prove so dull after +all." + +The captain looked at his watch. + +"He has been gone more than an hour, and there's no saying when he +will be back. He has his own way of managing this business, and, +though I concede his skill and superior knowledge in this part of the +world, it is hard to keep my patience when I see the hours slipping +away without bringing any results." + +But the patience of the three men was tried more sorely than ever +before, and to a greater extent than any one of them anticipated. Noon +came and passed and without bringing Vose Adams. The party partook +sparingly of their lunch, leaving enough for their absent friend, but +the lagging hours wore away and they still waited. They said little to +one another, but the captain, unable to restrain his restlessness, +wandered down the canyon. The two left behind watched him until he +passed from view in the direction taken by Colonel Briggs and his +company. A few minutes later, the report of his rifle came back to +them. + +"I wonder if _he's_ got into trouble," exclaimed the parson, rising to +his feet and peering to their left, without seeing everything to +explain the sound that had reached them. + +"I shouldn't wonder," replied Ruggles; "everything is going wrong; +Vose wouldn't stay away so long, unless he, too, was in difficulty." + +"The captain may need us; he can't be far off." + +Gun in hand, the couple walked hurriedly down the canyon, on the alert +for Indians, for it seemed more likely that if any danger threatened, +it was from them. To their relief, however, they soon found their +alarm groundless. The captain was seen coming, apparently as well as +ever. + +"Nothing is wrong," he explained when they were within speaking +distance; "I saw an antelope among the rocks and took a shot at him." + +"How near did you come to hitting him?" + +"He made only a single jump after he received my bullet; it's a pity +he didn't make a couple of them." + +"Why?" + +"It would have brought him over the outer rock and into the ravine; +then we should have had something for supper. Haven't you seen Adams +yet?" + +Instead of answering directly the three looked toward the fissure in +the side of the canyon, and there, to their unspeakable relief, they +saw the man who had been absent for so many hours. As is the rule at +such times, their ill-humor deepened. + +"Why didn't you wait till morning?" was the question of the captain. + +"I was afraid I would have to do so," replied the guide, whose flushed +face and agitated manner proved that he brought important news; "but I +didn't have to, and got away in time to reach you afore night." + +"Not much before," commented the parson; "you must have had a +remarkable experience to detain you so long." + +"Rather, but I'm starving, give me something to eat, while I talk." + +The lunch was produced, and he fell to with avidity, but he saw they +were in no mood for frivolity, and he did not presume upon their +indulgence. + +"Wal, pards, after leaving you, I picked my way as best I could up the +gorge, which runs back, with the bottom rising more or less all the +way, for 'bout two hundred yards when you reach level ground. That is +to say, the gorge ends, but the ground is anything but level." + +"And they went all that distance ahead of you with their animals?" +asked Brush. + +"That's what they done; the tracks of the horses were so plain there +couldn't be any mistake 'bout it. At the top of the gorge, the trail +slanted off to the right, toward a big pile of rocks, caves and +gullies, where it didn't look as if a goat could travel. There was so +much stone that it was mighty hard to keep on the trail and I lost +it." + +"And didn't you find it again?" demanded the captain. + +"Yes, but it took a good deal of time; that's one reason why I was +gone so long, but it wasn't the only reason by a jug full. When I +struck it agin, it led straight toward a high rocky place to the left, +where I made up my mind the two were hidin'." + +"That would imply that they knew we were close behind them." + +"There can't be any doubt of that. What bothered me was to learn what +they had done with their horses, fur the prints that I followed was +made by the folks' feet. I couldn't figger out what they had done with +the animals, and I spent some more time in trying to larn, but it was +no use. + +"Bime by I struck better ground, where the trail was so clear I could +have trotted over it." + +"Why didn't you do it?" asked Ruggles. + +Adams shook his head. + +"It wouldn't have done; as I said they must have found out, purty +early in the day, that we was after them, for if they didn't, why did +they turn off the reg'lar track?" + +"Never mind asking questions," replied the captain; "go on with your +story." + +"Wal, pards, by that time I must have been a mile from here and it +looked as if I'd have to go that much further. I had a good mind to +come back after you, for time was important, but when another rocky, +walled-up place showed in front of me, I was sartin I was close upon +'em. Their horses couldn't make their way through such a spot, and I +was sure I had 'em fast." + +"Why didn't you come back at once?" said the captain, "but, never +mind, go on with your account." + +"I thought it would be best to find out just how they was fixed. At +the same time, it would never do to let 'em diskiver that I was about. +So I was powerful careful and crept forward as if into an Injin camp. +It wasn't long before I smelled burning wood. That told me they had +come to a stop, built a fire and didn't dream I was anywhere in the +neighborhood. + +"But I wasn't through with the bother yet; it took me another long +time to find where that fire was burnin', but I hit it at last. A +little faint streak of smoke was climbin' from behind a ridge, among a +growth of pines. I begun creeping forward when I changed my mind. I +thought that if one of 'em happened to be on the watch and see me, +they would be off afore I could git anywhere near 'em. So I worked +round to the other side to come upon 'em from that. Then you see if +they took the alarm, they'd have to come back toward you or make +another long circuit. Anyway, I was sure of a chance to meet 'em. + +"Wal, pards, I don't want to make a long story of what is a short one. +I got round to tother side, but it took me a good while, and it's +hardly an hour ago that I catched my first sight of their camp." + +"What passed between you and them?" asked the captain. + +"When I rested my eyes on the little bundle of wood burnin', there +wasn't a man, woman or horse in sight." + +The listeners were dumbfounded for the moment. After the waste of the +greater part of the day, they were no nearer seeing the fugitives than +before. In a voice, husky with passion, Captain Dawson exclaimed: + +"It will take hard work to convince me that all this was not done on +purpose by you." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Vose, showing more anger than at any time +since the strange hunt had been begun. + +"If you had spent a week trying to fix things so as to help them get +away from us, you couldn't have done any better than your own account +shows you to have done. The whole day has been lost and we stand just +as near success as we did twenty-four hours ago." + +"You ought to have returned to us as soon as you located them," added +Brush in the effort to soothe the ruffled feelings of the two. + +"P'raps I didn't do the wisest thing," replied Adams with unexpected +meekness; "but I ain't the first person in the world that has made a +mistake. Howsumever, there won't be any more slips by me." + +His companions looked inquiringly at him. + +"I don't understand that remark," said the captain, "when you are sure +to blunder as long as you attempt to manage things." + +"That's the p'int; I resign from this time forward; I haven't given +satisfaction and you may now do the work to suit yourselves." + +"It's just as well," commented the captain, "for we can't make a +greater mess of it than you." + +The story told by Vose Adams was a singular one, but the most singular +feature about it was that it did not contain a grain of truth. Every +statement was a falsehood, deliberately intended to deceive, and, +seeing that he had succeeded in his purpose, he was satisfied. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +VOSE ADAMS + + +Lieutenant Russell gave no hint to Nellie Dawson of the scheme upon +which he had fixed his hopes, until after she had confessed her love +for him, and he was certain beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he +possessed the sole affection of her heart. Even then he hesitated for +he knew the shock it would cause the gentle one, who was devotedly +attached to her father. But the resolution of Captain Dawson to spend +the remainder of his days at the mining settlement, and his intention +of selecting her husband from among those that had made New +Constantinople their home for years, crystallized the determination +that had been vaguely shaping itself in his brain for weeks. + +As he expected, she recoiled shocked by the proposal to leave her +father; but love is eloquent, and he won by convincing her that the +separation would be only temporary. Her father would be quick to see +the great wrong his course would inflict upon his child, and he would +not only consent to the union, but would follow and make his home with +them. It was this implicit belief which made her the companion of +Lieutenant Russell in the flight from the mountain settlement. + +The project having been carefully planned and arranged, the +preparations were more complete than those of their pursuers. They +took sufficient extra clothing in the form of wraps and blankets, and +enough food to last for several days. They were well mounted and had +the companionship of the huge dog Timon, with his almost human +intelligence. + +The lieutenant's memory of places was good, and, having a number of +hours of daylight at command, he escaped the mistake of his pursuers. +The turn from Dead Man's Gulch was made at the right point, and they +were miles on their way before their flight was discovered by Captain +Dawson and his friends. + +Both of the fugitives did not doubt they would be pursued. They knew +the consuming anger that would take possession of her father, who +would probably collect several companions and start after them with +furious haste. He would take frightful vengeance upon the man that had +dared to steal his daughter. Everything, therefore, must be done to +keep beyond his reach until his wrath had time to cool. The intention +was to make Sacramento ahead of him. At that city, the lieutenant +would seek out his future father-in-law and plead his cause. + +When night closed around them, they had penetrated to a distance of +perhaps fifteen miles in the Sierras. It was at sunset that they +passed a spot, where horses and riders, the latter on foot, had to +pick their way with extreme care, while even Timon, who clung +faithfully to them, showed timidity, though he had been over the place +before. The sagacious brute knew that a mis-step on his part meant +death. The passage, however, was made without mishap, and Russell, as +he helped his companion into the saddle, assured her that nothing so +trying to the nerves was to be expected during the rest of the +journey. + +There was no fear of pursuit until after nightfall, but Russell +frequently pointed his glass backward and scanned the trail over his +whole field of vision. When the gathering darkness shut out +everything, he had seen nothing of enemies, either white or red. He +could not forget that on his previous journey, he and the captain had +desperate fighting with the Indians and the same peril still +impended. + +Nellie was eager to cover all the ground possible, while the +opportunity was theirs, and the flight was pushed longer than Russell +would have advised. Finally, he insisted they should stop and rest +themselves and horses for the remainder of the night. The halting +place was selected with much care. The animals were turned loose, +where the grass was growing and a small stream wound its way toward a +larger one. Then the two, accompanied by Timon, pushed in among the +rocks to where the final halt was made. + +They were in profound darkness. The lieutenant decided to start a +fire, and, with much difficulty, gathered a sufficiency of dried +branches. They were fortunate enough to find a partial cavern, so open +in front that it would have given slight shelter in the event of a +storm. When the blaze threw out its cheerful light, it served to +dissipate the gloom which in spite of themselves had oppressed them +with the coming of night. + +They partook of food and the lieutenant's spirits rose, for he saw +nothing to prevent the full success of the dream which had inspired +and thrilled him so long. His buoyancy was infectious, and he brought +a smile to the beauteous countenance by his merry sallies, and his +picture of the happy future that was close at hand. + +"Your father will be angry at first," he said; "it would be strange if +he were not, but he loves you and I think has a pretty fair opinion of +me. When he gains time to think over the matter, he will admit the +wisdom of what we have done and we shall receive his blessing." + +It was this assurance, more than all else, that served to lift the +gloom from her. Deep as was her love for the one at her side, it would +not have sufficed to draw her from her adored parent, had she believed +that his resentment against her would last. As it was, she grieved +that even for a brief time, as she thought would be the case, he +should hold harsh feelings toward her. + +No chivalrous knight of the Crusades could have been more scrupulously +considerate of lady intrusted to his charge than Lieutenant Russell. +He would have died before offending Nellie Dawson by act, word or +presumptuous thought. When, as the night advanced, the bright eyes +began to grow drowsy, he arranged a couch for her, saw that she was +well provided with blankets and then turned to the immense dog, who +had never left them and who looked as if he understood everything. + +"Now, Timon, you are to stay right here," he said, bending over and +impressively shaking his finger at the animal; "you are not to +venture a dozen feet from your mistress without permission. Do you +understand?" + +A whine and wagging of the tail left no doubt that the wishes of his +late master were clear to him. + +"You have your gun at your side," he added, turning to Nellie; "I do +not think you will have any call to use it. We have not met any +Indians and your father cannot overtake us before morning. Timon will +be sure to give you warning of the approach of danger, and, if your +gun goes off, I shall be here in a twinkling." + +He bade her good night and departed. Enough wood had been flung on the +fire to keep it going for an hour or two, but long before it sank to +ashes, the girl had drifted into dreamland. + +The lieutenant carefully selected his own sleeping quarters. He +finally fixed upon a large flat boulder, at the rear of the cavern +occupied by Timon and his charge; but, although beyond sight, he was +near enough to reach the spot on the instant needed. Spreading out his +blanket, he lay down upon it. + +"This recalls the old days in Virginia, when mud a foot deep, with the +rain dashing in our faces, was what we had for weeks at a time. This +couch doesn't equal a feather bed, but it will answer." + +The night passed without incident and it was hardly light when the +young officer was astir. He visited the horses and found them cropping +the grass, but he waited until Timon came to him before calling upon +Nellie. She, too, had been awake for some time and they partook of +their morning meal with rugged appetites. + +She was so eager to hurry on that he lost no time in taking the road +again. Neither could doubt that their pursuers were on their trail, +and, with the aid of his small glass, he carefully studied the country +behind them. It was not long before he made the discovery he dreaded: +four horsemen were following their footprints, and beyond them were +the five Indians picking their way along the ledge in the opposite +direction. + +The lieutenant passed the glass to his companion who scrutinized the +party with the keenest interest. + +"They must have traveled all night," remarked her escort, while she +still peered through the instrument. + +"That shows how dreadfully angry father is; I hope it will not last." + +"Can you make out the members of the party?" + +She studied them a minute or two more before answering: + +"I think that is father who is close to the man on a mule." + +"The one on a mule must be Vose Adams, for he is more accustomed to +that sort of animal. I am sorry he is with the party." + +"Why?" asked Nellie, lowering the glass and looking at him. + +"He is so familiar with the trail, that it will be hard work to outwit +him; he isn't the man to make mistakes. Did you recognize the +others?" + +"I cannot be sure, but I suspect they are Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Brush." + +"I have no doubt you are right,--not because I was able to identify +them, but because the two are partners and your father would naturally +go to them first. I do not think any one of the four has a glass, so, +despite their sharp eyes, we have a big advantage in that respect." + +"But they know the route better than we, and we are losing time." + +The course of the trail took them out of the field of vision of their +pursuers. It was at the suggestion of Russell that the two turned +aside from the canyon into the fissure-like gorge. This would have been +a serious mistake, except for the plan he had in view, for it must +place the pursuers in advance, the very thing which it would seem the +fugitives ought if possible to prevent. + +The lieutenant had believed from the first that Vose Adams, in +threading his way through the mountains, traveled a good many miles +more than was necessary. It was quite likely that, if he could follow +a straight line, he would shorten the distance one-half. Although this +was impossible, the young man, nevertheless, was convinced that by +changing the route, a good many miles could be saved: and it was in +his mind to do that thing. + +The lieutenant's experience in campaigning had taught him the danger +of going astray, when picking his way through an unfamiliar country, +but the little compass attached as a charm to his watch chain would +help him to keep track of the variations and windings, and he was +confident of coming out right. He and Nellie were well mounted and +armed, all of which being impressed upon his companion, she offered no +objection to the radical change of plan which took them out of the +canyon into the ravine that led them they knew not whither, but it was +ominous of disaster that at the top of the fissure, when the two were +leading their animals, a grievous mishap occurred. The pony of Nellie +slipped and sprained his ankle so badly that he whined with pain and +paused with his weight supported on three legs. + +[Illustration: THE LIEUTENANT PASSED THE GLASS TO HIS COMPANION, WHO +SCRUTINIZED THE PARTY WITH THE KEENEST INTEREST.--PAGE 269.] + +"That's a bad go!" exclaimed the dismayed Russell; "it will be several +days before he is able to travel." + +She examined the ankle, as best she could, trying to soothe the pain +by passing her hand over the injured part, but it was plain that +neither she nor her companion could give any help. + +"Poor fellow," she said sympathetically; "you cannot go any further; +what shall be done, Fred?" + +"Only one thing seems possible,--take you on my horse." + +"And what will become of Cap?" + +"We must leave him behind." + +"What will happen to him?" + +"Some one will pick him up, or, after his leg recovers, he may find +his way back to the settlement." + +The impulsive girl flung her arms about the animal's neck and touched +her lips to the silken nose. + +"They shall not part us, Cap," she exclaimed with tears in her eyes. + +The lieutenant watched this by-play, full of sympathy for the girl, +but he was in a quandary. Prudence seemed to demand that everything +should be sacrificed to speed by abandoning the pony. In all +probability, the latter would serve as a dinner for some of the bears, +wolves or other denizens of the mountains, who would quickly harry him +to death. To wait where they were until the animal was able to travel +rendered certain a speedy meeting with their pursuers. The woodcraft +of Vose Adams would enable him to discover with slight delay the point +where the fugitives had left the canyon, and he would guide his +companions with the skill of one of the mountain Indians themselves. + +On the other hand, the plan he had in view imposed prodigious work +upon his own animal. Between the halting place and Sacramento were +many miles of easy traveling, over which he could walk, but for long +distances the beast would be compelled to carry double. In the event +of close pursuit, this must prove a fatal handicap. + +In his perplexity, the lieutenant again examined the hurt of the +pony. + +"It would be cruel to make him take a single step, but he may soon +recover. I am afraid to leave him behind and to continue our flight +with only my horse. You know how dangerous it is to linger, Nellie, +when it is certain _they_ are not far off----" + +She caught his arm and whispered: + +"Look at Timon! he has discovered something!" + +The dog was standing a few paces in front of them, with his nose +pointed toward the canyon. He emitted several growls and pricked up his +ears in a way that left no doubt that he was angered. The lieutenant +had hardly time to place himself in an attitude of defence with his +Winchester, when a soft footfall was heard, and the next moment Vose +Adams emerged from behind the pile of rocks and approached them. + +It was proof of the guide's woodcraft that he was able to come thus +close before being detected by Timon, who advanced threateningly +toward him. A word, however, from the lieutenant stayed the dog. + +"Well, Vose," said the young man, "this is unexpected." + +"So I jedge and I've a 'spicion that you ain't tickled half to death +to see me." + +"We were always friends, but I can't say that either Nellie or I am +glad to meet you under the circumstances; for in truth, we have been +doing all we could to prevent such a meeting." + +"Things has that look," added Vose, standing on guard as may be said, +for he was not free from misgiving concerning the young lieutenant +whom he had managed to run down. His positive orders forbade him to +assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid him to defend himself, +and he did not mean that this handsome officer should catch him +unprepared. + +"Whom have you with you?" asked Russell. + +"The captain, Wade Ruggles and the parson." + +"What we suspected; I presume no one of the three feels specially +affectionate toward me." + +"It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two from quarrelin' +as to which shall have the first chance to shoot you." + +"Why does Captain Dawson prevent them?" + +"'Cause he means to have the first chance himself." + +"How about _you_?" grimly asked Lieutenant Russell. + +"I'm left." + +"How's that?" + +"A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the +captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can +see for yourself that there won't be any chance at all left for me +after them three is through." + +"It doesn't look so,--that's a fact. But where are the three?" + +"Along the main trail, down in the kenyon." + +"Why did they not come with you?" + +"I advised 'em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they +won't leave the spot till I get back." + +Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought that flashed +upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services +to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding +place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without +the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many +objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth +he thought of a much better plan. + +"You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men--for I may +as well include yourself--feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do +you think this enmity of theirs will last?" + +"Not for long." + +"How long?" + +"They'll let up as soon as you're shot." + +Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this way of putting +it, while Nellie was so horrified that she gasped and stared and +listened in silence. + +"There can be little doubt that you are right, but I meant to ask +whether you do not think the captain will moderate his anger when he +is given time to think it over." + +"He has had all night to do that, and this mornin' he was hotter if +anything, than at any time since he larned what you had done." + +"When did he learn it?" + +Thereupon, Vose told the facts which have already been made known to +the reader, the most interesting feature of which was that Adams was +not an original member of the pursuing party. But, although the guide +was so pronounced in his opinion of the continuance of the enmity of +Captain Dawson, the lieutenant believed otherwise. He was confident +that if he and Nellie could reach Sacramento before meeting the irate +father, the latter would be open to reason, and all would turn out +well. + +Vose turned to the young woman. + +"Nellie, do you want a little advice from me?" + +"I am glad to have it at any time." + +"Howsumever, what I say is as much for the leftenant as for you, which +the same is that both of you should give up this bus'ness." + +"But," said Nellie, "you have just told us that father is so angry +with Lieutenant Russell that he will shoot him the moment they meet." + +"We can fix that easy 'nough; let the leftenant stay here while you go +with me; I think we can explain matters to the captain and the others +so they won't bother the leftenant." + +"And what am _I_ to do?" asked Russell. + +"Push on to Sacramento as fast as you can, for though I think I can +fix it, I wouldn't advise you to take too many chances." + +"In other words, after Nellie and I have fled from the settlement and +got this far on the road to safety, you urge me to give her up +forever." + +"Wal, that's lookin' a little further ahead than I meant to, but I +'spose it amounts to that." + +"You mean well, Vose, but do you imagine that Nellie and I did not +count the cost before turning our backs on New Constantinople? Don't +you suppose we knew we should be pursued and were prepared for the +consequences?" + +"I can't say as to that, but it strikes me that the plan I laid before +you is the only one there is." + +"Why?" + +"You cannot get away from the captain and the men with him." + +"Well, there is no call for me to repeat my opinion, but I will say +that the decision shall rest with Nellie herself. If she wishes to go +with you I will interpose not a word of objection." + +He looked toward her as an invitation for her to speak. There was a +world of affection and faith in the lustrous eyes, as she walked +resolutely forward and placed herself by his side. + +"Only death shall separate us!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +AN UNEXPECTED ALLY + + +The lovelight shone in the eyes of Lieutenant Russell, as he looked +down at the slight figure beside him. He tenderly passed his arm +around the girl and touched his lips to her forehead. + +"It was not that I doubted you, Nellie," he said, "but that Vose might +know the full truth." + +Then turning to the guide, he asked: + +"Do you still advise her to leave me?" + +Vose Adams was unaccustomed to scenes like this. He moved about +uneasily, coughed, cleared his throat, and for a few minutes was at a +loss for words. + +"I don't know what to advise," he finally said; "but don't you think, +if she could go to the captain and let him see how she feels, he will +give in? How would it do for both of you to walk back with your arms +round each other's neck and sayin' sweet words--wouldn't that fetch +him? Hanged, if I know what to tell you!" he exclaimed desperately, +observing the smiles on their faces. + +"I am afraid your plan wouldn't work," said the lieutenant, "but you +have proved yourself the very friend we need." + +These words were a hint of the scheme that had come into the brain of +the young officer. Had he made a prisoner of Vose Adams, as he thought +for a minute of doing, the guide would really be more dangerous, since +there was no way of guarding against his treachery, but if he could be +turned into a friend, it would be almost equivalent to saving the +fugitives. It was that for which the young man planned, but he felt +that the real work must be done by Nellie. He could not win the good +will of Vose, but she could, for who was able to resist her appeals? + +It was a proof of the brightness of the girl that she caught the +purpose of her escort the moment his last words were uttered, and she +performed her part with a cleverness that could not have been +surpassed. + +Tears were in the eyes of the emotional Nellie, but she stepped across +the brief intervening space and laid her hand on the arm of Adams. + +"How glad I am, Vose, that you will help us, for you have told enough +to show that it will not do for us to meet father for some time to +come; we are now in your hands." + +"Blamed if I won't do anything I can! But what can _I_ do? 'Spose I +sneak back, shoot the captain and then plug Ruggles and the parson? +Will that suit you?" + +"Gracious; I should rather you would kill me than harm a hair of +father's head." + +"Wal, 'spose I shoot you and the leftenant and the captain and the +rest? No; that won't do; how the mischief shall I fix things?" + +The cooler headed Russell saw that the problem had been solved; Nellie +Dawson had won over Vose Adams, as may be said, by the turn of her +finger. He was eager to do all he could to help them, but in the +flurry of the moment could not reason with his usual acumen. + +"We don't want any shooting, Vose; I am sure that if we can reach +Sacramento without meeting the captain, his anger will pass away. In +Sacramento, I shall be able to arrange a meeting between him and his +daughter, and his love for her will break down the barriers and do the +rest." + +"I'm in too deep water when you get to figgerin' that way, but there +seems to be reason in what you say, but what about Ruggles and the +parson?" + +"We'll leave them out; they are in this as the friends of Captain +Dawson, and will not dare go contrary to his wishes, but if they do, +it can make no difference to my plan." + +"They're just as savage as the captain," said Vose significantly; "and +it won't do to forget 'em; but what did you expect to do, when you +left the kenyon? If you come back, you would have been sartin to meet +us, and what then?" + +"My intention was not to return, but to keep away from the main trail +and hunt a shorter road through the mountains to Sacramento." + +Vose Adams gave a low whistle of astonishment. + +"That's the worst I ever heard!" + +"And why?" + +"You're not follerin' any trail at all; you would be sartin to get +lost and would never find your way through the mountains; anyhow it +would take you three or four years, which I ca'clate is longer than +you want to wait." + +"How can you be so positive?" + +"It's true I never went to Sacramento and back, except by follerin' +for most of the way the trail that I know so well, but other folks as +smart as you have been lost in the mountains and you couldn't help +it." + +"You advise against it then?" + +"I'm so sure of your goin' wrong that I won't try to help you unless +you give up the idee." + +"Then I hereby give it up." + +Since Vose Adams had committed himself to Russell and Nellie's +interests, there was no more talking at cross purposes. The object +of the three was the same, and they sat down on the rocks for +consultation. There was abundance of time in which to do this, +since those whom they feared would not leave the canyon until the +return of their guide, and he did not mean to go back until the day +was so far spent that further delay was unavoidable. + +"They will be mad when they see me," he said with a grin, "but it +won't do them any good and I'll fix up a yarn about gettin' on and +then off your trail agin, that they'll have to be satisfied with." + +"That will serve for to-night, but you will all be astir at an early +hour to-morrow morning." + +"They will still have to depend on me to guide 'em, and I rather think +I can steer 'em off the track, so as to give you plenty of time to get +out of the way." + +"How?" + +"As soon as they leave the kenyon, that is as soon as the way is +clear, you must ride back to it and put on all steam for Sacramento, +for I understand, leftenant, that you've give up your idee of finding +a new route through the mountains." + +"I have." + +"You've got two good animals and you'll gain a full day's start." + +"You forget about poor Cap," said Nellie. + +"So I did! if he can't go with you, you'll have to leave him behind +and ride double, but it will be rather tough on your horse, +leftenant." + +"Nellie doesn't weigh enough to make any difference, and I expect to +walk most of the distance." + +An unexpected piece of good fortune raised the spirits of the three. +To the amazement of all, Cap, the pony, was seen hunting for grass and +bearing upon the lame foot with little inconvenience. That which was +thought to be a bad sprain was only a wrench, from which he promised +speedily to recover. + +"He'll be as well as ever by to-morrow mornin'," said Vose Adams; +"you'll need to humor him at first, but not for long." + +As has been intimated, the guide remained with them through most of +the afternoon, for, if he had gone back to his friends earlier than he +did, he would not have dared to offer any excuse for not leading them +in the pursuit, and he meant to avert all possibility of that. The +reader understands by this time why the guide formulated such an +astounding fiction when attempting to explain the cause of his delay. +Had his listeners been in cooler mood, they might have tangled him up +with a few questions, but their exasperation and disgust prevented. + +Before parting with the fugitives, Vose assured them that he was +confident their plans could not fail. + +"All they've got to do," he reflected, "is to do nothing afore +to-morrow and then when the road is open, strike out over the main +trail as hard as they can travel. I hope none of them Injins that we +had the row with will be pokin' 'round to-night, for if there's to be +any trouble, it'll come from them." + +It will be recalled that the story of Adams was received with such +coolness that he indignantly resigned and told the captain to run +matters himself. + +"And he'll make purty work of it," chortled Vose "he won't be able to +come within miles of where they are hidin'." + +When the moody silence had lasted for some time, the guide was moved +to remark in a more conciliatory spirit: + +"There's one thing that mustn't be forgot: Colonel Briggs and his +folks won't make any trouble, but we're not done with them Injins." + +"Isn't there likelihood that Colonel Briggs will divert them?" asked +the parson. + +"No; for the redskins can't be fooled; they'll know it wasn't any of +the colonel's folks that give their chief his walkin' papers, but us, +and they're the sort of people that don't forget a thing of that +kind." + +"I was thinking of hunting up enough wood to start a fire," said the +captain; "but we don't need it, and I suppose it will be safer without +it." + +"It seems to me," observed Ruggles, "that what we've got the most to +fear is that the Injins will run off with our animals: we would be +left in a bad fix." + +"We must look out for that; I'll stand guard the first part of the +night." + +Each was ready to take his turn, and it was arranged that Captain +Dawson should act as sentinel until midnight, when he would awake Vose +Adams, who would assume the duty till morning. Soon afterward, the +three wrapped themselves in their blankets and stretched out on the +ground, near the boulders, where they speedily sank into deep +slumber. + +It seemed to Adams that he had slept less than an hour, when the +captain touched him. Rising immediately to a sitting position, he +asked: + +"Is it midnight?" + +"It's a half hour past." + +"Why didn't you awake me afore? Have you seen anything wrong?" + +"I am not sure; my doubt made me hold on a little longer, but I +learned nothing of account." + +"What was it anyway?" + +"It is only that the animals appear to be uneasy, but it may mean +nothing, or it may mean a good deal." + +"It's more'n likely it means something. Where are they?" + +"Lying down off there to the right, almost near enough to be seen." + +"They can't be too close; wal, you can sleep and I'll take my turn." + +Thus warned by Captain Dawson, Vose Adams assumed the duties of +sentinel with his senses on the alert. He had become so accustomed to +the delicate duty, when aware that the slightest slip on his part +meant death, that he was better fitted for the task than any member of +the party, though the experience of Ruggles and the captain in the +army had given them the ability to awake at any moment fixed upon +before sinking into slumber, and they were sensitive to the least +disturbance while enjoying refreshing rest. + +Adams believed what he had remarked more than once that the little +company of mountain Indians would do their utmost to revenge +themselves upon the men who had taken off their chief. He suspected +that the five were prowling in the neighborhood, looking for some such +opportunity, and that they would strike a blow before the rising of +the morrow's sun. + +Nothing was to be hoped for in the way of a diversion, created by the +intrusion of Colonel Briggs and his vagrant miners. Not that the +Indians were not eager to strike at any members of the hated race, but +the all-controlling motive was lacking in the case of the larger +party. + +Although the moon was in the sky, only a small part of its light +penetrated the canyon. Peering into the darkness, Vose dimly made out +the forms of the four animals, who, having ceased their cropping of +the grass, had lain down for the remainder of the night. They were so +near that they could not be stampeded or stolen without the effort +being known to the sentinel. + +It would have been the height of rashness to start a camp fire, for +all the figures within its circle of illumination must have formed the +best of targets for their stealthy foes. As it was, an enemy would +have to steal from the gloom and approach near enough to touch them, +before striking a blow or firing a shot. + +Vose Adams, with his Winchester in his right hand and held close to +his side, took his seat on the ground, resting his back against the +nearest boulder. As a rule, a sentinel can keep awake for an extended +time only by motion and exercise, such as walking to and fro, but the +trained hunter often takes the risk and there is little danger of his +succumbing, especially after he has just finished a nap, as was the +case with the guide. + +Thus seated, with the boulder rising several feet above his head, +Adams's only reliance was upon his keenness of hearing and sight. + +He had not waited long when he saw proof of what the captain had told +him: the animals were restless, or rather one of them was. The +quadruped thus affected was Hercules, his own mule, who, although +lying down, twice rose to his feet, shifted his position and lay down +again. Then he sniffed as if the air contained an odor that was +displeasing to him. + +"I wouldn't think much of it, if it was one of the horses," reflected +his master, "but Hercules has brains; he knows more'n all the others +together, and yet it may be it ain't that after all." + +One of the singular facts regarding cattle and other quadrupeds is +that they are sometimes troubled with disquieting dreams, the same as +ourselves. This trifling cause has resulted many a time in the +stampeding of a drove numbering tens of thousands. + +"I've knowed Hercules to kick and snort in his sleep, and one time he +come mighty near breakin' a leg of mine; howsumever, I don't think +that's the trouble with him to-night. I 'spect it's Injins this +time!" + +When Captain Dawson lay down to sleep and Vose Adams assumed his place +as sentinel, the moon was near the zenith, but the contour of the +canyon shut out its beams. While Vose was striving to pierce the gloom, +over and about the four animals, he noted a flickering tremor against +the vast wall which formed the other side of the canyon. A faint, +fleecy veil of moonlight having been lifted over the mountain crests, +was now flung downward and caught against and suspended upon the +projecting rocks and crags. It was but a frosty shimmer, but the veil +dangled lower and lower, pendant here and there until the fringe +rested on the bottom of the gorge. + +The sleeping miners and horses were wrapped in deep shadow, but the +tremulous, almost invisible veil still fluttered on the further side +of the canyon. By and by, the shifting moon would whisk it up again +and all would be gloom as before. + +The sentinel lay flat on his face and peered over the prone animals +toward the faint light across the canyon, and, looking thus, he saw the +outlines of a man moving among the horses and mule. A shadow could not +have been more noiseless. Not the faintest rustle betrayed his +footsteps. + +"Just what I expected," thought Vose; "I'll wager Hercules against a +dozen of the best horses in Sacramento that that shadder is one of +them five Injins we seen stealin' along the ledge this mornin'. All +the same, I can't imagine what the mischief he is driving at." + +The guide's first impulse was to bring his rifle to his shoulder and +let fly. The intruder was so near that it was impossible to miss him, +but two causes operated to prevent this summary course: Vose wished +first to learn the business of the intruder, and there was a single +possibility in a hundred that he was neither an Indian nor an enemy. + +The latter doubt could be solved by challenging the prowler with a +threat to fire, if instant satisfaction was refused, while the firing +could be made so promptly that the stranger would have no chance of +whisking out of reach. Vose decided to wait until he got some idea of +the other's business. + +He could still dimly discern the form, but it was so obscure that had +it not been moving about, he would not have been able to distinguish +it or make sure it was within his field of vision. + +While studying the phantom, the lower part of the veil of moonlight on +the other side of the canyon was twitched up for a hundred feet. +Lingering thus a minute, it was twitched still higher; then a third +flirt snatched it out of the gorge. The shifting of the moon had left +the canyon shrouded in darkness as before. + +Nothing could have attested more strikingly the marvelous stealth of +the intruder than the fact that not one of the horses was awakened by +him. The approach of the great Geronimo and several of his Apaches was +betrayed under somewhat similar circumstances by the neighing of a +horse that they awakened, apparently when making no noise at all. + +This prowler was a shadow in a world of shadows. If Hercules detected +his presence, the man succeeded in soothing the fear of the hybrid. + +"_Halt or I'll fire!_" + +Vose Adams's voice was low, but in the tomb-like stillness a +thunderclap could not have been more distinct. The hail, however, +produced no response. The angered Vose drew his Winchester to a level, +with his finger on the trigger, but when he ran his eye along the +barrel, he failed to perceive any target. He lowered the muzzle a few +inches and peered over the top. Nothing was discernible. + +"You're there somewhere and I'll find you!" + +Instead of rising erect, the sentinel advanced in a crouching posture, +so that his head was no higher than if he were on his hands and +knees. + +This clever strategy was thrown away. Within five seconds, he was at +the side of Hercules, prepared and expecting to grapple with his +enemy, who, to his exasperation, continued invisible. Vose did not +require to have the matter explained to him, for he understood it. +Upon being hailed, the intruder instead of throwing up his hands or +starting to run, had also assumed a stooping position. It was as if he +had quietly sunk below the surface of a sea of darkness through which +he was wading, and swum with noiseless celerity to a point beyond +reach. + +Vose was angered but took his defeat philosophically. + +"You was too smart for me that time; I never had it played finer on +me, but I guess it's just as well; you've learned that we're on the +lookout and you can't sneak into camp without _some_ risk of having a +hole bored inter you." + +But Vose was not yet through with his nocturnal experiences. He held +his seat for some fifteen or twenty minutes without seeing or hearing +anything to cause the slightest misgiving. The horses still slept, +and even the uneasy Hercules appeared to have become composed and to +have made up his mind to slumber until morning. + +"I don't b'leve there'll be anything more to disturb me, onless some +wild animal wants his supper----" + +The thought had hardly taken shape, when a shiver of affright ran +through him, though the cause was so slight that it might have brought +a smile, being nothing more than a pebble rolling down the ravine, up +which the fugitives had passed the day before. The stone came slowly, +loosening several similar obstructions, which joined with it, the +rustling increasing and continuing until all reached the bottom and +lay at rest a few feet from where he sat. + +Nothing could have been easier than for this to occur in the natural +course of things, since hundreds of such instances were taking place +at every hour of the day and night, but in the tense state of the +sentinel's nerves, he was inclined to attribute it either to the +Indian that had just visited camp and slunk away, or to one of his +comrades trying to steal a march upon him. + +"I 'spose the next thing will be for him to climb over this boulder +behind me and drop onto my head. Howsumever, if he does, he'll find me +awake." + +Vose sat thus, depending almost wholly upon his sense of hearing to +apprise him of the stealthy approach of an enemy, while the long +silent hours gradually passed, without bringing additional cause for +alarm. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +INSTINCT OR REASON + + +As the night wore away without bringing any further evidence of the +presence of enemies, the solicitude of Vose Adams was transferred to +the two, who, hardly a mile distant, were awaiting with equal anxiety +the coming of morning. They and he had agreed upon the plan to be +pursued, but now, with the crisis at hand, the guide became +apprehensive about the final issue. + +Suppose the couple should leave their hiding place to return to the +main trail before their pursuers were out of the way? Mutual discovery +was certain with the dreadful catastrophe that none dreaded more than +he. But it would seem that Lieutenant Russell was too cautious to run +the risk of so fatal a mistake. He would reconnoitre the ground and +keep out of sight until the coast was clear, but the restless Adams +was astir at the first streakings of light in the canyon. + +He first visited the animals. It was possible that the stealthy +prowler of the night before had done them injury, but, so far as he +could ascertain, nothing of the kind had occurred. Except for what he +had seen and heard during the darkness, he would not have known that a +visitor had been in camp. + +It was not fully light when the others rose from their primitive +couches. Water was at hand, and after drinking and ablution, the group +sat down to their morning meal, which disposed of the last remnant +furnished by Vose Adams. While they were eating, he told of the +occurrences of the night and was surprised that his companions made +light of them. To them it was of less importance than to him. + +"So long as they do no more than prowl about the camp," remarked +Captain Dawson, "we need feel no concern." + +"It seems to me," said Brush, "that if the fellow intended mischief, +he would have done it, but he has left no traces of anything of the +kind." + +"Which was because the right kind of chance didn't show itself," said +Vose; "if we don't have a lively fight before this bus'ness is over, +I'm much mistook, but it's time we was moving." + +The guide seemed to have forgotten his resentment of the night before +and his friends were too considerate to refer to it. It took but a +short time to make the animals ready, when the procession started up +the gorge, Vose, as usual, leading, with the captain next, then Wade +Ruggles, while the parson brought up the rear, that position naturally +falling to him. + +Men and beasts were refreshed by their rest and food, and it required +but a brief while to reach the top of the gorge, where, as will be +remembered, it terminated. It was here that Vose Adams began his fine +work, and he showed no more hesitancy in drawing a "long bow," than on +the previous night, when pretending to account for his long absence. + +"The trail leads to the right," he said, with a glance at the ground, +as if to refresh his memory. + +His first thrill of misgiving came when he saw the parson pause and +look searchingly at the ground. Had he possessed one-half the skill of +Vose in trailing, he would have discovered that the guide was +misleading them, but he did not have that cleverness nor did any other +member of the party. The glance of the parson was perfunctory and his +brief pause was to regain his breath after the short but laborious +climb of the steep slope. Vose was watching him closely and quickly +saw the meaning of his action, for, whatever Brush may have observed +on the ground in front of him, it was not the faint impressions left +on the stones by the fugitives. Neither the captain nor Ruggles so +much as looked at the earth, accepting the dictum of their guide +without question. + +It was not deemed best to mount the animals, because of the roughness +of the ground and the belief that they were close upon the parties for +whom they were searching. Vose took care to turn so sharply to the +right that they were speedily out of sight of the spot where he had +parted from the fugitives. Everything was going promisingly when Wade +Ruggles startled his companions by the exclamation: + +"Helloa! there's that dog Timon!" + +A hundred yards to the left rose a pile of rocks, the highest of which +reached an altitude of two hundred feet or more. Upon the crest of one +of the lower rocks, which had only a slight height, the immense dog +stood in plain sight. It looked as if he had started to ascend the +rocks, when he discovered the party and paused to learn their +business. + +The picture was a striking one. The enormous size of the brute gave +the impression at first that he was a wolf or some wild animal that +had challenged the advance of the four men. This error would have been +made had not each been so familiar with the creature. As he stood, his +formidable head raised, his forequarters being slightly higher than +the remainder of his body, his position was diagonal. He was surveying +his acquaintances, who surveyed him in turn with equal curiosity. + +Vose Adams's heart sank. What was the meaning of this? As he viewed +it, the presence of the dog could have no other significance than that +the lieutenant and Nellie Dawson were close at hand. Timon was in +their company and would not have strayed far, so that he had betrayed +them. From some cause, which the guide could not comprehend, +Lieutenant Russell had made a change of plan and placed himself almost +in the path along which Vose was leading the pursuers, in the belief +that the fugitives were at a safe distance. + +The four men looked at the dog for several moments in silence, when +the captain spoke: + +"We must be very near them." + +"You're dead right," added Ruggles in the same undertone; "we've got +'em cornered sooner than we expected." + +"They can't go far," said the parson, "without being stopped by the +rocks, when we shall have them in the nicest trap that was ever set +for any game." + +The reflection of Vose Adams was of a different nature. + +"If they make fools of themselves and upset all my plans, what can I +do to help 'em? Why didn't they stay where they promised to stay, and +why didn't they kill that blamed dog afore he played this trick on +'em?" + +Timon stood for two or three minutes so immovable that he suggested a +stone image of himself, carved out of the rock on which he was +perched. Then he emitted a single husky bark and leaped lightly down +from where he had been standing. It was no more than a dozen feet, and +he alighted as gracefully as a panther. He trotted part way to the +horsemen, who were closely watching his movements, stopped, barked +again and wheeling, trotted forward over precisely the course Vose +Adams was taking when checked by the appearance of the canine. + +The men looked at one another in astonishment. The action of the dog +was unaccountable, but Captain Dawson's explanation sounded +reasonable. + +"That shows we are on the right track and he has come to guide us to +where they are awaiting him." + +There could be no doubt of it. The actions of the brute said as +plainly as so many words: "Come with me and I will take you straight +to the people you want to see." + +Instead of following Timon at once, the party kept watch of him. He +trotted a dozen steps and then paused and looked back. Observing that +he was not understood, he emitted several more barks, took a couple of +steps and then repeated the performance. His object was so evident +that Captain Dawson said: + +"That's as plain as the nose on your face; the animal is worth a dozen +guides like you, Vose." + +"Then why don't you foller him?" sulkily asked the latter. + +"That's what we shall do; come on." + +Observing that the captain left his horse standing, the parson +inquired the reason. + +"They are of no use to us and will be only a bother; leave them here +until we need them; I will follow the dog and you can take what order +you choose, but," he added with unmistakable earnestness, "every one +of you must keep in the background till I'm through." + +Timon held his motionless position until the four men had taken +several steps toward him and there could be no error as to their +intention. Vose Adams observed that he was following, without a hair's +variation, the course he had in mind. + +"It serves 'em right," was his angry reflection; "when the leftenant +spoke 'bout hunting up a new trail through the mountains, I oughter +knowed he hain't no sense and was sure to make a mess of things. Now's +he gone and sneaked off where these folks will stub their toes agin +him; I'm 'sprised that the Queen didn't hammer a little sense into his +head." + +The guide was in a torture of apprehension. The impending outcome was +likely to betray the deception he had used, but it was not for that he +cared. There could be no mistaking the deadly mood of Captain Dawson +and the equally intense hatred of Ruggles and Brush. A meeting with +Lieutenant Russell made a frightful tragedy inevitable, and no one +could be more vividly aware of the fact than the young officer +himself, for Vose had impressed it upon him, but the guide in his +anguish of spirit, saw no possible escape from it. He stolidly +followed, striving to brace himself for what must soon come. + +Meanwhile, the strange leadership continued. Timon seemed to be +impatient, for occasionally he broke into a trot, abruptly pausing and +looking back, as if to urge his followers to use more haste. Since +they did not do so, he checked himself, when about to pass beyond +sight and waited for them to draw near. He led them around boulders +and masses of rocks, over ridges, down declivities, across one small +stream, through a ravine and again among the precipitous piles of +stone, until even the hardy men were well nigh exhausted. They had +traveled fully a mile over a route that was of the most trying +nature. + +It was about this time that an extraordinary suspicion began forming +in the mind of Vose Adams. He hardly dared give credence to it, but it +took greater hold upon him with every few rods of advance. Nothing in +the world would have induced him to make known his suspicion, but it +continued to grow. + +Suddenly Captain Dawson stopped. As he looked around his face was +agitated. + +"Boys," said he, "there's something infernally strange about this." + +Vose Adams saw that his own suspicion had entered the mind of their +leader, but the countenance of the guide was as blank as that of a +child. + +"It's the worst tramp I ever had," remarked the parson, removing his +hat and mopping his forehead. + +"If there's any harder work," added Ruggles, "count me out." + +Captain Dawson looked angrily at Vose. + +"Do you know the meaning of this?" + +Vose shook his head and prevaricated still further by adding: + +"Nor what you're driving at either." + +"That dog has misled us; instead of conducting us to the couple he has +taken us away from them." + +It was true and every one of the four knew it. The suspicion of the +guide had become certainty. Was it instinct or reason that controlled +the animal? Who shall draw the line in explaining many of the actions +of the brute creation? + +Vose Adams was silent a moment and then emitted a low whistle. + +"Hang me, if I don't b'leve you're right, captain. I've been told that +that dog knowed more than a good many folks and there ain't no doubt +of it now." + +The disgusted parson exclaimed: + +"Why didn't one of us think of that? The idea of all four being fooled +by a dog!" + +"It wouldn't have been so bad if there had been two dogs," said +Ruggles, who saw the grim humor of the thing, "but it is tough to have +our eyes shet by only one." + +It was impossible for Vose Adams wholly to restrain all evidence of +his pleasure. When in the depths of despair, he was awakened to the +fact that the canine had performed one of the most brilliant exploits +conceivable. He could not help smiling. The captain was in an ugly +mood and in a threatening voice asked: + +"Did you have anything to do with this?" + +"Certainly; me and Timon fixed up the thing afore he left Dead Man's +Gulch; it took us a good while; the dog didn't think it would work, +but I stuck to it and finally he promised to have a try at it; +certainly we fixed it up atween us." + +The guide did a clever thing in thus turning the fantastic belief of +the captain into ridicule. Had he protested, he might have added to +the suspicion against himself. It was further in his favor that it was +known he had never had much to do with Timon. As already related, the +brute had few friends among the miners and Vose Adams never sought his +acquaintance. + +Nevertheless, it was impossible to brush out of sight one significant +fact,--the long absence of Adams the day before. But for the last +occurrence, nothing would have been thought of the former, but it was +clear that Captain Dawson had begun to entertain doubts of the loyalty +of his guide. + +"He'll never repeat his trick anyway," exclaimed the officer, facing +about and bringing his rifle to his shoulder. But his intention of +shooting Timon was frustrated, for the brute was nowhere in sight. +Unreasonable as it might sound, it looked as if he suspected how +things would turn out and took the occasion to place himself beyond +danger from the indignant men. + +"In the army we shoot spies and traitors," remarked the captain, so +angered by his repeated disappointments that he could not govern his +feelings. In giving expression to the remark, the officer made a +serious mistake, which he saw the moment the words left his lips. He +was suspicious of Vose Adams, but he should have concealed all +evidence of it, until the proof appeared. When that took place, he +would shoot the man with no more hesitation that he would have shot +the dog. But he had now put Vose on his guard and the difficulty of +detecting him was increased tenfold. + +As if to obliterate the memory of his words, the captain said in the +most matter of fact tone he could assume: + +"The mistake we made has taken us from the right spot; they must have +been near the rocks where Timon showed himself." + +"No doubt," said the parson, "and were watching us." + +"The one thing to do is to retrace our steps; perhaps the two may be +fools enough," bitterly added the captain, "to wait for us, since that +seems to be the only way by which we shall ever come up with them." + +A single short bark startled them. The captain wheeled like a flash +with his gun at his shoulder. But Timon was too cunning to show +himself. It is not improbable that he meant the expression for a note +of triumph over his inimitable exploit, while such a wonderful dog was +too wise to run any risk of punishment from his indignant victims. + +The hunter is sustained against fatigue by the excitement of the +chase; and, despite the severe labor of following the canine guide, +all four men stood it far better than the return to the spot where the +pursuit began. Angered, chagrined and in desperate mood, even the grim +leader was forced occasionally to stop and rest. Nearly two hours +passed before they descried the familiar pile of rocks in their +front. + +"That's the spot," he said, "but what good can it do us? It's a wonder +if they have not run off with our horses; it would be a fitting climax +to this folly." + +It was the secret wish of Adams, from the moment of discovering the +cleverness of Timon, that this very thing should be done. If +Lieutenant Russell took such a precaution, it could not fail to be +effective. Returning to the main trail after his pursuers were out of +the way, he would have an open path through the mountains to +Sacramento. If the lameness of Nellie's pony continued, her saddle +could be transferred to one of the other horses, and, leading or +driving the remainder of the animals, the four men would soon find +their task a hopeless one. + +But the young officer was restrained from such action by a certain +chivalry that governed all his actions. He could not consent to take +so unfair an advantage of an enemy, even though the fate of one dearer +than his own life was at stake. And yet it must be confessed that the +lieutenant drew it very fine. His course did not win the respect of +his enemies, who were inclined to attribute it to stupidity, rather +than courtesy. + +But no time was to be lost in deciding their line of action. + +"I think we'd better make a hunt among them rocks," suggested Wade +Ruggles. + +The others studied them with as much interest as if it were the first +time they had been seen. If the couple had taken refuge among the +caverns and crevices of this immense pile of stone, they must have +left their animals on the ground below where they could be readily +discovered. + +"We may as well have a look," remarked the captain; "what do you +think, Vose?" + +"I don't think anything; don't ask me any questions." + +He never looked more angry. He had not forgotten the slur of the +captain and had spirit enough to resent it. Dawson was too proud to +apologize and he could not do so, when his suspicion of the fellow's +loyalty was as strong as ever. On the contrary, having made his +blunder, the officer drove the arrow home. + +"I am sorry you didn't take that resolution in the first place; it +would have been better for all of us, though not so good for those we +are looking for." + +The captain and Ruggles now turned to the right, while the other two +took the opposite direction. They were thus enabled, after more hard +work, practically to pass around the mass of rocks, returning to their +starting point, without having discovered any traces of man, woman or +their animals. On the journey, Adams and the parson exchanged few +words, but it was different with the other couple. + +"What do you think of his long absence yesterday?" asked the captain. + +"It has a bad look,--worse than I thought when he come back." + +"Why so?" + +"I take it with the action of that dog. You didn't fail to notice that +Timon took us along the exact route that Vose was leadin' us over and +we found out that it was the wrong one." + +"And you believe he purposely misled us?" + +"It's almost sartin." + +"Suppose it _was_ certain, Wade?" + +"I'd shoot him quicker'n lightning." + +"So would I." + +"But you see we can't be sartin just yit; if Vose is in that kind of +bus'ness, he'll give himself away purty soon." + +"I agree with you and we'll watch him." + +Thus was the momentous bargain made. + +When the four came together once more, the parson remarked: + +"It's my belief that after we were well out of the way, the two went +down the gorge to the main trail and are now making haste to +Sacramento." + +The exact line of action that had been agreed upon! Vose Adams was +firmly convinced that this was the very thing that had taken place and +the utmost he could do was to prevent the horsemen from acting on that +theory until the fugitives were given opportunity to pass beyond +reach. + +Except for the words of Captain Dawson, the guide would have striven +to delay the pursuit, but he dared not attempt it after the warning. +Ignoring the captain, he said to Felix Brush: + +"It's more'n likely you're right, parson; that would have been the +most nat'ral thing for them to do and it's no use of our standing here +and talking, when every minute counts." + +"We can quickly learn the truth; it isn't far to the gorge, where they +must have left traces; leave the horses here, for we can soon return +for them if it proves necessary." + +Forgetting their fatigue, the four walked back over their own trail. +The forenoon was well advanced, and, by this time, the fugitives were +probably a good way off. Adams was relieved because of this action, +for it promised more delay. + +Reaching the beginning of the gorge, all began an examination of the +ground, for the imprints of the horses' feet were plainly seen. To the +amazement of every one, each hoof pointed upward, that is away from +the canyon. There was no evidence that any quadruped had descended the +slope. All had gone up. Vose Adams was in despair. + +"They have let their only chance go by," he bitterly reflected; "it's +too late now to save them!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +AT BAY + + +Lieutenant Russell held a long consultation with Nellie Dawson, after +the departure of Vose Adams. His first intention had been to press +their flight with all possible vigor, and, as will be recalled, Adams +carried away that belief with him. + +"My view of matters has undergone a change," he said after a time to +his companion, who looked up in his face for an explanation. + +"Instead of waiting until we reach Sacramento for a meeting with your +father, I believe it will be much better to have it as soon as +possible." + +"Why?" she asked, though curious to say, she had been wavering for +some time in her belief. + +"It will add to rather than lessen his anger, if he is obliged to +follow us that far, and the fact that he is in a city instead of the +mountains will not decrease his determination to do me injury." + +"What about those who are with him?" + +"Your father is the only one to be considered. My proposal is that we +wait here till to-morrow morning until they come up; what is your +opinion?" + +"I believe you are right; let us do so; I don't think father will cast +me off when I go to him." + +The plan was carried out, though the young man felt more misgiving +than his companion suspected. He remained on guard a part of the +night, sharing the duty with Timon, whose almost human intelligence +made him as reliable as a trained scout himself. + +Straight to the spot came the pursuers soon after daylight, when the +horses were saddled and bridled. Nellie was in a state of feverish +expectancy. When she caught sight of her father, leading the others, +she joyfully uttered his name and ran toward him with outstretched +arms. + +"Father, my own father, are you not glad to see your Nellie?" + +Still holding his Winchester half-raised, he glanced sternly at her +and replied: + +"Come no nearer; you are no daughter of mine!" + +She stopped as if shot, and with hands still outstretched stood +motionless, with her eyes fixed yearningly upon him. She was like a +marble statue, without the breath of life in her body. All were +silent. Even Timon looked from one to another without moving. The +whole thing was beyond his comprehension. + +Then the dreadful truth seemed to force itself upon the consciousness +of the girl, who staggered backward to the nearest boulder, upon which +she sank and covered her face with her hands. She did not weep, for +her grief was too deep. + +And who shall picture the sorrow that wrenched the heart strings of +the parent? There was a strange look on his face and his massive frame +trembled. But he quickly recovered his self-poise, and looking away +from his child, fixed his eyes upon Lieutenant Russell. + +"It is with _you_ that I have to settle." + +"I am ready." + +The young officer was standing beside his pony, with one arm resting +on the saddle, across which his rifle was supported, while the other +hand lay idly on his hip, and his body was borne upon one foot. His +pose was one of negligence, as if he and his animal had taken position +before the camera, and the world contained no such thing as hatred and +enmity. He looked calmly into the angered countenance, while he waited +for the next words of the man who was impatient to send a bullet +through his heart. + +Wade Ruggles and Felix Brush would have been glad of the privilege of +doing this, but they felt that for the time they were out of it. The +right of calling Lieutenant Russell to account lay with the father of +Nellie. They had nothing to do or say until that tragedy was ended, +and they stood apart, silent, grim and watchful of everything. + +The coolness of the young man disconcerted the captain for the +moment. Feeling it unnecessary to hold his weapon, he lowered the +point, but, never once removing his eyes from the face of the other, +said: + +"I will give you the same chance as myself for your life; though you +do not deserve to live, it shall never be said I took any advantage +over you. Each of us has a revolver and knows how to use it; you may +pace off the distance for yourself, but make it short." + +"Captain, I decline to fight you," replied Lieutenant Russell, without +a change of pose and in his usual voice. + +"Why?" demanded the other. + +"You have saved my life on the battle field; we have been comrades; we +have drank from the same canteen; shoot me if you wish; I will keep +the position I now hold and you may stand where you are; you have your +Winchester in your hands; you have but to raise it and it will be all +over in a twinkling, but nothing that you can say or do will induce me +to harm one of your gray hairs." + +This reply was unexpected to all, but it served if possible to +intensify the wrath of Captain Dawson. He shook with tempestuous rage, +and it was several seconds before he could command his voice. Ruggles, +Brush and Adams did not stir or whisper a word to one another. The +white-faced Nellie remained seated on the boulder, but she lowered her +hands and stared at the two, as if she could not comprehend it all. +Once she made a motion to rise, but sank back and stared with a +fixidity of gaze that went to the hearts of the three spectators. + +"You are a sneaking scoundrel to use those words," said Captain +Dawson, when able to command his voice; "all the past is wiped out +except that of the last two days; I shall shoot you for stealing my +child from me." + +The lieutenant looked calmly into the countenance of the man, and, +lowering his tones almost to a whisper, that was perfectly audible to +all, replied: + +"I am at your disposal." + +From the moment Captain Dawson learned of the flight of his child, he +had been eager for but one thing,--the opportunity to draw bead on the +miscreant, without giving him an instant to prepare for death. That +opportunity was his but he hesitated. Something that he could not +explain, but which incensed him, held his hand motionless. + +But perhaps the end would have been the same, when he rallied from the +momentary struggle, had not his daughter awakened from the daze that +had held her mute and motionless. Like Pocahontas, she sprang forward, +with arms again outstretched, and with a faint shriek, flung them +about the form of her lover. + +"Shoot father, if you will, but you shall kill me too!" + +Felix Brush shivered and turning away his head, muttered in a broken +voice: + +"My God, Wade! I can't stand this!" + +Ruggles attempted to reply, but the words choked in his throat. Still +he and Adams kept their eyes upon the three before them. Ruggles was +on the point of interfering when Nellie Dawson averted the necessity. + +Lieutenant Russell was disconcerted. His lip quivered, and, with +infinite tenderness, he sought to loosen the arms that entwined him, +but she would not permit it. + +"No, no, no! He shall not part us! Let him slay us both! Do not +repulse me! I will die with you!" + +The situation of Captain Dawson was awful. He was scarcely himself. +The dainty form of his child could not fully shield the athletic +figure of Lieutenant Russell, strive as much as she might, and the +opening for the threatened shot was as clear as ever. Whether he would +have persisted in his intention can never be known, for at that +juncture the startling incidents were succeeded by one still more +startling and unexpected. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NO BRAVER DEED EVER WAS DONE + + +The hearts of two of the party were wrung as never before. Wade +Ruggles and Felix Brush saw with noonday clearness the dreadful +mistake they had made in the past in hoping to win the heart of the +maiden who had declared that if her beloved was to die she would die +with him. It was contrary to nature and the laws of God, and it was +characteristic of each that he felt a thrill of gratitude over the +belief that no person suspected his secret. Both would have died +rather than allow it ever to become known. + +With this awakening came a transformation of feeling toward the +couple. They sympathized with Lieutenant Russell, but more than all, +they pitied her whose soul was distraught with grief. They had never +before seen her in the agony of distress and neither could stand it. + +"Brush," whispered Ruggles, "this must stop." + +"_Hold!_" called Brush in a loud voice, striding commandingly forward +with his arm upraised; "I have something to say!" + +There was a majesty and an impressiveness of mien like that of the +Hebrew prophet who hushed the tempest. Captain Dawson, without moving +body or limb, turned and glared at the intruder; Ruggles kept his +position; Nellie Dawson, with arms still clasping the neck of her +betrothed, looked over her shoulder at her old friend; Lieutenant +Russell reached up so as to hold the wrists of the girl, while still +retaining his grip upon his rifle and fixed his eyes upon the tall, +gaunt figure that halted between him and Captain Dawson and a little +to one side of him. + +"Lieutenant Frederic Russell, do you love Nellie Dawson?" was the +astounding question that fell from the lips of Brush. + +"Aye, more than my life," was the prompt response. + +"And you have started for Sacramento with the purpose of making her +your wife?" + +"That was my resolve with the help of heaven." + +"And, Nellie, you agreed to this?" + +"Yes, yes; we shall not be parted in life or death." + +"Such being your feelings," continued Felix Brush, in the same loud, +clear tones, "I pronounce you man and wife, and whom God hath joined +together let not man put asunder!" + +It was a thunderclap. No one moved or spoke for a full minute. Felix +Brush was the only one who seemed to retain command of his senses. +Stepping forward, with a strange smile on his seamed countenance, he +extended his hand to the groom. + +"Allow me to congratulate you, lieutenant; and, Nellie, I don't think +you will deny me my fee." + +With which he bent over and tenderly kissed her. + +"O, Mr. Brush, are we really married?" she asked in a faint, wild +voice. + +"As legally as if it were done by the archbishop of Canterbury and +if--" + +But he got no further, for her arms were transferred from the neck of +her husband to those of the parson, whom she smothered with her +caresses. + +"Bless your heart! You are the nicest, best, sweetest, loveliest man +that ever lived,--excepting Fred and father--" + +"And _me_," added Wade Ruggles, stepping forward. + +"Yes, and you, you great big angel," she replied, bestowing an equally +warm embrace upon him. + +The two rugged fellows had won the greatest victory that can be +achieved by man, for they had conquered themselves. When the great +light broke in upon their consciousness, each resolved to let the dead +past bury its dead and to face the future like the manly heroes they +were. + +And no braver deed ever was done. + +Poor Captain Dawson! For a time he believed he was dreaming. Then, +when he grasped the meaning of it all, his Winchester dropped from +his nerveless grasp and he staggered and would have fallen, had not +Lieutenant Russell leaped forward and caught him in his arms. He +helped him to the boulder from which Nellie had risen and then he +collapsed utterly. The soldier who had faced unmoved the hell blast of +battle had fainted for the first time in his life. + +Nellie ran to the brook a few paces away, and catching some of the +water in the hollow of her hand darted back and flung it into his +face. + +"There, dear father; it is all right; rouse yourself; O, Mr. Brush, +suppose he is dead!" she exclaimed, turning terrifiedly toward him. + +"He is as likely to die as you are, and you don't look just now as if +you mean to put on wings and fly away." + +In a few minutes the veteran revived and looked confusedly around him. +He seemed unable to comprehend what it all meant and his gaze wandered +in a dazed way from one countenance to another without speaking. +Nellie was still caressing him, while Lieutenant Russell stood back a +couple of steps, looking pityingly into the face of the man who had +suffered so much. + +Felix Brush was the hero of the occasion. Turning to the group, he +said: + +"Leftenant, you and Nellie and Ruggles and Vose move off for a short +distance and leave him with me for a little while." + +Understanding his purpose the three withdrew, and the two men were +left alone. The captain instantly roused himself. + +"What does all this mean, Brush?" + +"It means that you and Ruggles and I have been the three infernalist +fools that ever pretended to have sense." + +"How?" + +"How? In every way conceivable. Wade and I, as we told you, saw that +those two were in love with each other; instead of persuading you to +consent, we have helped you to prevent it. I must say, captain, that +though Wade and I played the idiot, I think the championship belongs +to you." + +"I begin to suspect it." + +"There's no doubt of it." + +"But, you see, parson, I had never thought of anything like this." + +"Which goes to prove the truth of what I have just said. If you hadn't +been blind you would have seen it." + +"I got the belief into my head that his intentions were not honorable +toward Nellie." + +"You never made a greater mistake; Lieutenant Russell is the soul of +honor; heaven intended him for the husband of Nellie, and we were +flying in the face of Providence when we tried to prevent it." + +"I suppose it is all right; but how is it possible for a man to make +such a consummate ass of himself?" + +"You have just given a demonstration of how it is done, Wade and I +adding material help in the demonstration." + +The captain looked to the ground in deep thought. When he raised his +eyes there was an odd twinkle in them. + +"I say, parson, wasn't that a rather cheeky performance of yours, when +you made them man and wife?" + +"The circumstances warranted it. There's no saying what might have +happened, if it had been deferred for only a few minutes." + +"True," replied the veteran thoughtfully; "it begins to look as if the +hand of Providence was in it." + +"It is in everything that occurs in this life. It was in your coming +to New Constantinople; in the blessed influence of your child upon +that barbarous community; in the impulse that led you to bring +Lieutenant Russell to us, and now comes the crowning Providence of all +in their marriage." + +"Parson, you ain't such a poor preacher after all." + +"Perhaps I can preach a little, but my practice has been away off, +though I hope to get back one of these days to where I was, but--" + +He suddenly turned and beckoned to his friends to join them. They +came smilingly forward, for they suspected what it meant. + +Captain Dawson rose to his feet, and, without speaking extended his +single arm toward his child. With a glad cry she flew into his embrace +and pillowed her head on his breast. No one spoke, but there was not a +dry eye among the spectators, while the silent embrace lasted. + +Finally the daughter was released and then the captain reached his +hand toward his son-in-law, who eagerly stepped forward and grasped +it. + +"Yes, lieutenant, we have drunk from the same canteen," he said, "and +now let's all go home." + +And it was accordingly so done. + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Waif of the Mountains, by Edward S. 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