-:i> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) '^ > ed more ordinary proportions, but still when he drew nc?ir, it was evident that he was a man of immense size. He rode a black steed of the largest and most powerful description; was clad in the leathern hunting-shirt, belt, leggings, mocassins, etc., peculiar to the western hunter, and carried a short rifle in the hollow of his right arm. " Good-evening, strangers," he said, in a tone that savoured of the Yankee, but with an easy manner and good-humoured gravity that seemed to indicate English extraction. " Goin' far ? " ■ J : LSJ m ^ i 11 .# 32 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS " To California," said Will, smiling at the abrupt commencement of the conversation. " H'm, a longish bit. Come far ? " " From England." "H'm, a longish bit, too. Lost and starvin', I see." "Not exactly, but pretty nearly so," said Will. " I had entertained the belief, presumptuous if you will, that I could find my way in any part of the wilderness by means of a sextant and pocket com- pass, and to say truth, I don't feel quite sure that I should have failed, but before I had a suffi- cient opportunity of testing my powers, one of our baggage horses rolled down the bank of a creek and broke my sextant. In trying to save him I rolled down along with him and smashed my compass, so I have resigned the position of guide in favour of my friend here, who, being a native, seems to possess a mysterious power in the matter of find- ing his way." " From the other side of the mountains ? " asked the strange horseman, glancing at Bunco. " Yoo 's right," said Bunco, with a grin. There was a slight touch of humour in the grave, stern countenance of the stranger as he replied in a language which was quite unintelligible to Will and Larry, but which appeared to create wonderful sensations in the breast of Bunco, who for some minutes continued to talk with much volubility and eagerness. OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS tft M You appear to be old friends ? " said Will in- quiringly, to the stranger. " Not 'xactly," he replied, " but I 've trapped on the west side o' the mountains, and the Redskin is excited a bit at meetin' with a man who knows his nation and his name. I've heard of him before. He was thought a brave warrior by his tribe, but it is so long since he disappeared from the face o' the arth that they 've given him up for dead. His wife was alive last fall. I saw her myself, and she has steadily refused to marry any of the young braves — at least she had refused so to do up to the time I left; but there's no calc'latin' N7hat these Red- skins will do. However, I've comforted this one wi' the news." "With your leave. Mister Trapper," said Larry, breaking in impatiently at this point, " may I sug- gest that when you 're quite done talkin' we should continue our sarch for grub an' wather, for at present our stummicks is empty an' our mouths is dry." " Have you no food ? " asked the trapper. " None,'* answered Will ; " we finished our last scrap of meat yesterday morning, and have been hoping and expecting to fall in with buffalo ever since, for the signs around show that they cannot be far distant." " You are right ; I am even now foUowin' their trail, for, like yourselves, I 'm well-nigh starvin* Not had a bite for three days." si iff : V 'I w m Mi m I i I ■ * HI i 'a i I 34 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS " Ye don't look like it ! " said Larry, gazing at the man in some surprise. " '• Perhaps not, nevertheless it 's a fact, so we '11 push on an' try to find 'em before sundown." Saying tliis, the stalwart trapper gave the rein to his steed and galloped away over the plains, followed as close as possible by the wearied travellers. The pace was hard on the horses, but there was need for haste, because the sun was close on the horizon, and as far as the eye could reach no buffalo were to be seen. Ere long the character of the prairie changed, the arid ground gave place to more fertile land, here and there clumps of willows and even a few small trees appeared, wh^le, in the far distance, a line of low bushes ran across the country. " Water dere," said Bunco. "The Kedskin's right," observed the trapper, slackening his speed a little ; " 'tis his natur' to know the signs o* the wilderness. Does his hawk- eye see nothing more ? " " Bufflo ! " exclaimed Bunco as he drew up and gazed intently at a particular spot in the wilderness. " Ay, lad, it is buffalo an' no mistake. I know'd I should find 'em there," said the trapper, with a quiet chuckle, as he examined the priming of his rifie. " Now, friends, we '11 have to approach them quietly. You 'd better catch up the halters o* your pack-horses, Mister Irishman " OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS •* Larry O'Hale at your sarvice, Mister Trapper." " Benjamin Hicks at yours, Mister O'Hale, but 1 'm better known as Big Ben ! And now," he con- tinued, " keep well in rear, all of you, an' follow me down in the bottom there, between the ridges. Don't out o' cooriosity go exposin' yourselves to the buffalo. In the meantime keep quiet, and let your mouths water at the thought o' fat steaks and mar- row-bones." Benjamin Hicks galloped along the bottom of the hollow for a considerable distance ; then, dismount- ing, hobbled his horse by tying its two fore-feet to- gether with a piece of rope. Thus hampered, it could hop about in an awkward fashion and feed, while its master advanced on foot. With rapid strides he proceeded some distance further along the bottom, and then ascended the ridge in a stoop- ing position. On nearing the summit he crept on hands and knees, and on gaining it, he sank like a phantom into the grass and disappeared. The party who followed him stopped on reaching the spot where the horse had been left, and for some time waited in excited and silent expectation, listening for the report of the hunter's rifle. Despite the caution given them, however, they could not long refrain from attempting to see what was going on. After waiting a few minutes. Will Osten hobbled his horse and crept up the side of the ridge, which might be more correctly described as an undulating prairie- wave. Bunco and Larry followed ■ y , l«. ;M m A Y'l 'U \\ •■. ■Hi fi: \ M Ml 36 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS f IN '' ' V'iB ■i: II »-i his example. When they all lay flat among the grass on the summit and raised their heads cautiously, the sight that met their eyes sent a thrill of delight to their hearts. It was still the boundless prairie, indeed, but its uniform flatness was broken by innumerable knolls and hillocks, of varied extent, which looked like islands in a green sea. Some were covered with clusters of white pines, others with low bushes. Rich grass waved gently in the evening breeze, giving to the whole scene an air of quiet motion. Not far distant flowed the little stream already referred to, and as this reflected the gorgeous golden clouds that were lit up by the setting sun, it ap- peared like a stream of liquid fire meandering over the plains, while, far, far away on the hazy and glowing horizon — so far that it seemed as if a whole world lay between — a soft blue line was faintly visible. It might have been mistaken for the distant sea, or a long low cloud of azure blue, but Will Osten knew that, however unlike to them it might appear, this was in : aality the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains ! The pleasantest sight of all, however, was a group of ten or a dozen buffalo, which grazed, in all the lazy ease of fancied security, at the side of a knoll not more than three hundred yards distant. As our travellers lay, with bated breath and beating hearts, gazing at these animals, dreaming of feasting on fat things, and waiting for a shot, they became aware of a low murmuring OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS »v sound somewhat resembling distant thunder, but softer and more continuous. On scanning the plains more intently they perceived that here and there were other scattered groups of buffalo, more or less concealed by knolls, while in the extreme distance a black line, which they had at first mis- taken for bushes, proved to be an immense herd of living creatures, whose pawings and bello wings reached them like a faint murmur. Suddenly the animals close to them sprang into the air as if they had received an electric shock. At the same instant a white cloudlet of smoke rose above the grass, and a few seconds later the sharp crack of the trapper's rifle broke on their ears. The huge ungainly brutes bounded away, leaving one of their number behind. He writhed violently, and then lay gently down. A moment of suspense followed, for he might rise again and run beyond pursuit, as buffalo often do under a deadly wound 1 But no! he curled his tail, gasped once or twice, and rolled over on his side Knives were out in a moment, and the whole party rushed like wolves upon the prey. First, they rolled the animal upon his brisket, slit his hide along the spine, peeled it down one side, and cut ofif a piece large enough to form a wrapper for the meat. Next the flesh on each side of the spine was pared off, and the tongue cut out. The axe was then applied to his ribs — the heart, the fat, the tender loins and other parts were taken out ; then It I! % 38 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ■ the great marrow-bones were cut from his legs, and, the whole being wrapped in the green hide, was slung on a pole, and carried by Will Osten and the trapper to the nearest suitable camping ground. This was on the edge of a grove of white pine by the side of the clear rivulet under the shade of a woody hill. Here, before darkness had completely set in. Will and his new friend kindled a great fire and prepared supper, while Larry and Bunco went off to fetch and tether the horses. Now reader, you must understand that it was no light duty which lay before the wanderers that evening. They had to make up for a good many missed meals. The word "ravenous" scarcely in- dicates their condition ! They were too hungry to lose time, too tired to speak. Everything, there- fore, was done with quiet vigour. Steaks were impaled on pieces of stick, and stuck up before the fire to roast. When one side of a steak was partially done, pieces of it were cut off and devoured while the other was cooking. At the expense of a little burning of the lips, and a good deal of roasting of the face, the severe pangs of hunger were thus slightly allayed, then each man sat down before the blaze with his back against a tree, his hunting-knife in one hand, a huge rib or steak in the other, and quietly but steadily and continuously devoured beef ! " Och I when did I iver ait so much before 1 " exclaimed Larry, dropping a peeled rib. 1 m 1 f Hh t^U ■' ■* m m ; i Kb fi 1^ ^y ■" ^^^ i' 1»BAST1NU IN THK I'KAIHIKS i, ' 1 P i-} ' ■■I i if \ i ' OVXR THE KOCET MOUNTAINS 41 i ! "What! not goin' to give in yet?" said Big Ben, setting up another rib to roast ; " why, that '11 never do. You must eat till daylight, if you would be fit to travel in the prairie. Our wild meat never pains one. You may eat as much as you can hold. That's always the way we do in the far west. Sometimes we starve for six or eight days at a time, and then when we get plenty, we lay in good store, and pack it well down, always beginnin' wi' the best pieces first, for fear that some skulkin' Kedskia should kUl us before we've had time to enjoy them. See here, you've only had the first course; rest a bit while I prepare the second." While he spoke, Ben was breaking up the mar- row-l)ones with his hatchet, and laying bare the beautiful rolls of "trappers' butter" within. Having extracted about a pound of marrow he put it into a gallon of water, and, mixing along with it a quantity of the buffalo's blood and a little salt, set it on the fire to boil. In a short time this savoury soup was ready. Turn nc*^ up your noses at it, " ye gentlemen of England, who live at home at ease" (though, by the way, we doubt the reality of that "ease," which causes so much dyspepsia amongst you that good food becomes unpalatable and strong food nauseous), but believe us when we tell you that the soup was super-excellent. " Musha ! " exclaimed Larry, when he tasted the first spoonful, " I feel exactly as if I had ait nothin' 42 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS I; I ^ I V 'I M at all yit — only goin* to begin ! " and with that he and his comrades attacked and consumed the soup until their faces shone again with grease and gladness. " That *11 do now," said Larry in a decided tone, as he rose and stretched himself, preparatory to filling his beloved pipe — " not a dhrop nor a bite more on any account." | " Is you stuffed full ? " asked Bunco. " Pretty uigh," replied Larry, glancing at his friend with an inquiring look ; " seems to me that you have overdone it." i " Me is pretty tight," said Bunco languidly. "Come, come," cried the trapper, "don't shirk your victuals. There 's one more course, and then you can rest if you have a mind to." So saying, the indefatigable man took up the intestines of the buffalo, which had been properly prepared for the purpose, turned them inside out, and proceeded to stuff them with strips of tender loin well salted and peppered. The long sausage thus hastily made was hung in festoons before the fire, and roasted until it was thoroughly browned. Portions were then cut off and set down before the company. When each thought of beginning he felt as though the swallowing of a single bite were utterly impossible, but when each had actually begun he could not stop, but continued eating until all was finished, and then wished for more, while Benjamin Hicks chuckled heartily to witness the ... ■ OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 43 ; success of his cookery and the extent of his friends' powers. Ah, it is all very well, reader, for you to say " Humph ! nonsense," but go you and wander for a year or two among the Eocky Mountains, acquire the muscles of a trapper and the digestion of an ostrich, then starve yourself for a few days, and get the chance of a "feed" such as we have feebly described, and see whether you won't come home (if you ever come home) saying, "Well, after all, truth is strange, stranger than fiction ! " It need scarcely be said that the solace of the pipe was sought immediately after the meal was concluded by Will, Larry, and Bunco ; but Big Ben did not join them. He had starved longer than they, and intended, as he said, to eat all night ! " Well," observed Larry, as he extended himself at full length before the blaze, and resting his right elbow on the ground and his head on his hand, smoked in calm felicity; "I've often found that there *s nothin' like tiredness to make a man enjoy rest, but, faix, it 's this night I 've lamed, as I niver did before, that there's nothin' like starvation to make wan enjoy his victuals." "Right, Larry," said Will Osten with a laugh; " upon my word I think it would be worth while to live always on the plan of missing our meals each alternate day, in order to enjoy them more thoroughly on the other days." " If city men would go on that plan," observed if m :hi ■{■ f ^ it •A '» '^a 44 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS I the trappe/, gravely tearing the flesh from a rib with his tec^th, and speaking at the same time, " there would be no use for doctors." "Ah then, think of that now; wouldn't it be a rail hard case for the poor doctors?" said Larry, with a sly glance at Will. Bunco grinned at this, and observed that it was " time for hims be go sleep." Whereupon he rolled his blanket about him and lay down with his feet to the fire. Will Osten also lay down and fell asleep almost immediately. Larry, too, stretched himself out in repose, leaving Big Ben still engaged with the buffalo beef. The night was rather cold. In course of time Will Osten awoke, and called to the trapper to mend the fire, which he did, and then resumed his former occupation. Once or twice after that, one and another of the slun:^3rers awoke, and, looking up sleepily for a few seconds, beheld the enduring iiian still hard at work. The last to lift his head that night was Larry. The puzzled Irishman gazed in mute amazement during the unusually long period of half a minute, for Benjamin Hicks still sat there, glittering in the light of the camp-fire, grave as a Eedskin, and busy as ever with the bones I OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 46 CHAPTER III RELATES HOW BIG BEN BECAME A TRAVELLING COM- PANION, AND HOW A BIG BEAR WAS CAPTURED — DISCUSSIONS AND MISFORTUNES TO the great satisfaction of Will Osten and his friends, it was discovered that Benjamin Hicks was a wandering trapper, whose avocations led him to whatever part of the wilderness was most likely to produce furs, and who had no particular objec- tion to take a trip across the mountains with our adventurers. Indeed Big Ben thought no more of a ride of several hundreds of miles than most men do of an afternoon walk, and, if particular business did not prevent him, he was always ready to under- take a " venture " so long as it was, in his opinion, justifiable and likely to pay. " You see, sir," he said, as he and Will cantered together along the base of a low hill one evening, "it's not th\t I'm of an unsettled natur', but I've bin born to this sort o' life, an' it would be no manner o' use in me try in' to change it Once upon a tinie I used to think o' settlin' in one of the back settlements — that was when my poor old 11 \ \ ' ', V 1 46 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS mother was alive. I used to live with her and take care of her after my father's death. Then I married and thought I was fairly fixed down for life, but one night when I chanced to be out looking after my traps, a war-party o' Injuns attacked the village and killed every soul in it. At least so it was said at the time, but afterwards I met a lad who had escaped, an* he told me that he had seen my mother and wife killed, but that a few of the men escaped as well as him." The trapper's voice deepened as he spoke, and he paused. "Was it long ago?" asked Will, in a tone of sympathy. " Ten years now," answered Ben sadly — " though it seems to me but yesterday. For many a day after that I tried to find the trail o* the Redskins that did it, but never succeeded, thank God. If I had, it would only have ended in the spillin* of more blood, without any good comin' of it. It is long now since I left off thirstin' for revenge, but I suppose I'll never cease wishin' that — that — well, well, God's will be done," he added, as if rousing himself out of a sad reverie, " I 'm not used to speak about this, but somehow whenever I meet with white men o* the right sort in the plains or moun- tains, I always feel a kind o' longin* to let my tongue wag raither too free. However, as I was goin' to say, I 've been a wanderer since then, goin' where I think I can be o' use to myself or others ; OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 47 and so, as you don't appear to be overly knowin* about the trail across the mountains, I'll go with 'ee a bit o* the way, an' p'int it out, if you have no objections." " No objections ! " echoed Will ; " I '11 be delighted to have your company, and would be only too glad if you could go all the way." "Who knows but I might be willin' to go if I was asked," said the trapper, with a slight approach to a smile. " Are you in earnest ? " asked Will. Big Ben not only admitted that he was in earnest, but said that he was quite ready to start at once, if they would only consent to diverge from their route about thirty miles to a small outpost belong- ing to the fur-traders, where he had deposited a lot of peltries, which he wished to convert into supplies for the journey. This was readily agreed to, and, accordingly, next day about noon, they came in sight of Eocky Mountain Fort — so called because of its being situated in a somewhat wild glen, near the verge of one of the eastern spurs of the Rocky Mountains. While the fort was still far distant, though in sight, Larry O'Hale uttered a sudden exclamation, and pointed to a black spot lying on the side of one of the numerous mounds with which the country was diversified. " A black bear," said the trapper quietly. " Have at ye then 1 " shouted Larry, as he drove V u ii: 48 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 1^: his heels against the ribs of his steed and went off at full gallop. "Stay, Bunco, let him have all the glory to himself," cried Will, laughing. Bunco, who had started to follow, reined up, and all three cantered to the top cf a neighbouring height, whence they could clearly see the country for many miles in all directions. Meanwhile the enthusiastic Larry had descended into a hollow, to leeward of the bear. Along this he trotted smartly, following its windings and keeping carefully out of sight, until he judged himself to be nearly opposite to the spot where the bear lay, then breaking into a gallop he turned at right angles to his former course, bounded over the ridge that had concealed him, and rushed furiously on his victim. The bear was a ycang one, but nearly full grown. On beholding the horseman it rose on its hind legs and showed all its formidable teeth. " Och ! is it laughin' ye are ? " exclaimed Larry, bringing forward the muzzle of his gun, " it 's cryin' ye *11 be before long." As he spoke the piece exploded. Whether it was that his finger had pressed the trigger too soon, or that the aim, owing to the pace, was unsteady, we know not, but Larry missed ; the ball hit the ground just in front of the bear, and drove such a quantity of earth into his face, eyes, and mouth, that he shook his head with a spluttering cough which ended in a savage growl, but. on beholding OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 49 • :■ the wild Irishman charging down on him with the ferocity and thunder of a squadron of heavy dragoons, he dropped on his fore-legs, turned tail, and fled. Larry tried to re-load while pursuing, but, owing to the uneven nature of the ground, which required him to devote earnest attention to the badger-holes, he could not manage this. Without knowing very well what to do, he continued the chase, meditating as to whether it were better to try to ridt over the bear, or to attempt the breaking of its skull with the butt end of his gun. As, however, it was all he could do to keep pace with the brute, he found either alternative impossible. " Ochone ! what '11 I do wid ye ? " cried the per- plexed man, in despair. The bear, as if in reply, glanced aside at him and grinned horribly. " I do belaive it 's laughin' again at me ! Git on, ye baist " (to his horse), *' sure ye *re four times as big, an' ought to run faster. " Larry forgot to do his steed the justice to add that it carried fourteen stone weight on its back. The poor man tried hard to overtake the bear, but failed to gain an inch on him. To make matters worse, he observed that the brute was edging towards a wood which lay on his right. Seeing this he diverged a little, and, by making a dive into a hollow, he managed to cut off its retreat in that direction. Rocky Mountain Fort, which lay on his left, was now within half a mile of him. and he J 90 OVER THE ROOKY MOUNTAINS Ih 11 could see some of its inhabitants, who had observed th" party coming from the plains, standing at the gate of the fort watching tho chase with much interest. A glance .over his shoulder showed him that his travelling companions weie in view behind. Keenly alive to the fact that he should be over- whelmed with ridicule if he failed, the now desperate man conceived the bold idea of driving the bear into the fort ! He felt that this feat was not beyond the bounds of possibility, for the bear was beginning to flag a little, while his hardy steed was still in good wind. He therefore applied the whip with greater energy, and soon came alongside of the bear, which attempted to turn to the right, but Paddy had become a good and alert horseman by that time, and was on his other side in an instant. Again the bear tried to double, and again his enemy checked him and urged him on. Thus they progressed until they drew near to the gate of the fort. This was now deserted, for the fur-traders soon understood the game that the wild horseman was playing, and made way for the entrance of the stranger. At last the bear came so close to the walls of the fort that it observed the open gateway. A way of escape was here — it evidently imagined — so it went through at full gallop' It was immediately met by a housa Turning quickly round, it was met by another house. Dashing aside, it was brought up by a wall. As a last resource it ran behind a pile of cut firewood and stuck its head into a hole, just as Larry 0' Hale ^ OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 51 bounded through the gateway with a wild cheer of triumph. Will Osten, Big Ben, and Bunco quickly followed, and the gates were shut by the men of the fort. But the victory was by no means completed. The question still remained, How was the enemy to be made prisoner ? One of the fur- traders seized it by the tail and tried to draw it out. He failed to do more than draw forth a tremendous growl. Another fur-trader, aided by Larry, came to the assistance of the first, and, by their united power, plucked Bruin out of the hole like a cork out of a bottle. He turned with fury on his enemitis, two of whom sprang back, overturning Larry in the act. At that moment one of the fur-traders, a stalwart Canadian, leaped upon the bear, grasped him by Ihe throat, and tried to strangle him. One of the others, seeing this, caught at the brute's legs and tumbled him on his side, for which he was rewarded with a scratch which tore his right arm open from the elbow to the wrist. The hands of the stout Canadian were at the same time severely lacerated by the brute's claws. During the brief moments in which this struggle lasted, Big Ben had leaped from his steed ; detached the sto it line which always hung at his saddle-bow ; made a noose as deftly as if he had been a British tar or a hangman, and passed it quickly over the bear's muzzle. Drawing it tight he took a turn round its neck, another round its fore-legs, and a third round the body. After this the work of sub- u i.d OVER THE ROCKY MOT^NTAINS "II jugation was easy, and Bruin was finally reduced to slavery. We know not, good reader, what you may think of this incident, but we beg to assure you that, in its essence, it is a fact, and that that bear was afterwards sent to England to suck its paws in a menagerie, and delight the eyes and imaginations of an admiring public. Again we change the scene to the heart of the Kocky Mountains, in which, after many days of toil and trouble, heat and cold, hunger and thirst, diffi- culty and danger, our travellers found themselves at the close of a bright and beautiful day. "I think," said Will Osten, reigning up by the side of a conse which crowned the brow of an eminence, " that this seems a good camping-place." " There is not a better within ten mile of us," said Big Ben, dismounting. "This is the spot I have been pushing on for all day, so let us to work with- out delay. We have a hard day before us to- morrow, and that necessitates a hard feed an* a sound sleep to-night. Them's the trapper's cure for all ills." . " They cure many ills, doubtless," observed Will, as he removed the saddle from his jaded steed. Larry, whose duty it was to cut firewood, re- marked, as he administered his first powerful blow to a dead tree, that " grub and slumber at night was the chief joys o' life, and the only thing that could be compared to 'em was, slumber and grub in ^' >. their ultimate fate, in the meantime they w r. advancing on their journey. Big Ben took occasion to point this out to his comrades the next night, when, after a severe day's ride, they were allowed to sit down and eat a scanty meal surrounded by the Indian warriors. No fire was lighted, for the savages knew they were now approaching their enemies' country. Their food, which consisted of dried buffalo meat, was eaten cold. In order to enable the captives to feed them- selves, their hands had been loosed and refastened in front instead of behind them, but this did not in any degree inprove their chance of escape, for they were guarded with extreme vigilance. " You see, Mr. Osten," said Big Ben, in a low tone, " it 's a piece of good luck that they 've brought •' OVBR THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ei us this way, 'cause when we leave them we have nought to do but continue our journey." "Leave them!" exclaimed Will in surprise. " How shall we manage to leave them ? " " By escapin'," answered the trapper. " How it is to be gone about no man can tell, for man is only mortal an' don't know nothin' about the futur*, but we '11 find that out in good time." "I hope we may," returned Will sadly, as he gazed round on the stern faces of the savages, who ate their frugal meal in solemn silence; "but it seems to me that our case is hopeless." " Faix, that 's what meself thinks too," muttered Larry between his teeth, " for these cords on me wrists would howld a small frigate, an* there 's a black thief just forenint me, who has never tuk his eyes off me since we wos catched. Ah, then, if I wor free I would make ye wink, ye ugly rascal. But how comes it. Mister Trapper, that ye seem to be so sure o' escapin' ? " " I 'm not sure, but I 'm hopeful," replied Big Ben, with a smile. "Hopeful!" repeated the othe', "it's disapinted ye '11 be then. Haven't ye often towld me that thim blackguards roast an' tear and .^orture prisoners nowadays just as bad as they ever aid 1 " "I have." " Well, — d 'ye think them Kedskins look as if they would let us off, seein' that we 've shot wan of them already?" &i**.^! 19 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS "They don't." " Sure, then, yer hope stands on a bad foundation, an* the sooner we make up our minds to be skivered the better, for sartin am I that our doom is fixed. Don't 'ee think so, Bunco ? " The worthy appealed to was busily engaged in tearing to pieces and devouring a mass of dried buffalo meat, but he looked up, grinned, and nodded his head, as if to say that he believed Larry was right, and that in his opinion being roasted, torn, tortured, and skivered was rather a pleasant pro- spect than otherwise. " I have two reasons for bein' hopeful," observed Big Ben, after a short silence. " One is that I never got into a scrape in my life that I didn't get out of somehow or another, and the other reason is that I have observed signa on the trees that tell me the enemies, for whom the Eedskins are seeking, are aware of their bein' on the trail and will give them a warm reception, perhaps sooner than they expect" " What signs do you refer to ? " asked Will Oaten. " I see no sign of man having been here." " Perhaps not, and by good luck neither do the Injims, for why, they can't read hand-writin' as is not meant for *em, but I know somethin* of the tribe they are after, an' one or two small marks on the trees tell me that they are not far distant. No doubt they will attack the camp at night." " Ochone ! " groaned Larry, " an' won't they brain OVER THE ROOKY MOUNTAINS 63 and scalp us wid the rest, an' our hands tied so that we can't do nothin' to help ourselves ? " " It is possible they may," returned the trapper ; " and if they do we can't help it, but let me warn you all, comrades, if we are attacked suddenly, let each man drop flat on the grass where he sits or stands. It is our only chance." Poor Larry O'Hale was so overcome by the gloomy prospects before him that he dropped flat on his back then and there, and gave vent to a grievous sigh, after which he lay perfectly still, gazing up at the stars and thinking of "Ould Ireland." Being possessed of that happy temperament which can dismiss care at the shortest possible notice, and being also somewhat fatigued, he soon fell sound asleep. His companions were about to follow his example when they heard a whizzing sound which induced them suddenly to sink down among the grass. At the same moment an appalling shriek rudely broke the silence of the night, and two of the sentinels fell, transfixed with arrows. One of these lay dead where he fell, but the other sprang up and ran quickly, with staggering gait, after his comrades, who at the first alarm had leaped i.p and bounded into the nearest underwood, followed by a shower of arrows. That these deadly messengers had not been sent after them in vain was evinced by the yells which succeeded their discharge. A moment after several dark and naked forms glided swiftly over the camp in pursuit. One of these, pausing for one ' 64 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS moment beside the dead Indian, seized him by the hair, passed his knife swiftly round the head so as to cut the skin all round, tore off the scalp, and stuck it under his girdle as he leaped on in pursuit. Fortunately the prisoners were not observed. Larry, on being awakened by the yell, had half raised himself, but, recollecting Big Ben's caution, dropped down again and remained perfectly still. The attacking party had, of course, seen the sentinels fall and the rest of the warriors spring up and dart away, and naturally supposing, doubtless, that no one would be so foolish as to remain in the camp, they had passed on without discovering the prisoners. "When they had all passed, and the sounds of the light were at a little distance. Big Ben leaped up and exclaimed : — "Comrades, look sharp, moments are golden. They *11 be back like a shot I Here, ^ ^arry, grip this in yer hand an' stick the point of it agin' that tree." While he spoke in a cool, calm, almost jocular tone, the trapper acted with a degree of rapidity and vigour which showed that he thought the crisis a momentous one. With his fettered hands he plucked the knife from the girdle of the dead Indian and gave it to Larry O'Hale, who at once seized it with his right hand, and, as directed, thrust the point against the stem of a neighbouring tree. The trapper applied the stout cords that bound him OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 66 to its edge, and, after a few seconds of energetic sawing, was free. He instantly liberated his com- panions. " Now, lads," said he, " down the stream and into the water as fast as you can." Our hero and Larry, being utterly ignorant of the manners and habits of the people amongst whom • they were thrown, obeyed with the docility of little children — showing themselves thereby to be real men 1 Bunco, before darting away, seized an Indian gun, powder-horn, and shot-belt which had been left behind. The attack had been so sudden and unexpected that many of the savages had found it as much as they could do to save themselves, leaving their arms behind them. Of course, there- fore, no one had thought of encumbering himself with the weapons of the prisoners. Big Ben had thought of all this. His wits hai long been sharpened by practice. He also knew that his white comrades would think only of escaping, and that there was no time to waste in telling them to look after their weapons. Giving them, therefore, the general direction to rush down the banks of the stream and get into the water, he quietly but quickly seized his own piece and the guns of our hero and /*** the Irishman, together with one o| the large powder- horns and bullet-pouches of the war-party ; also two smaller horns and pouches. The securing of these cost him only a few seconds. When Will Osten and Larry had run at full speed for several hundred 66 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS I yards down the stream which flowed near to the spot where the war- party had encamped, they stopped to take breath and r.^ceive further instruc- tions. The active trapper and Bunco were at their heels in a moment. " You forgot your guns," said the trapper with a quiet chuckle, handing one to Larry and the other to Will. "What nixu?" asked Larry, with a strange mixture of determination and uncertainty in his tone — the former being founded on his character, the latter on his ignorance. " Follow me. Don't touch a twig or a blade o' grass on the banks, an' make as little noise as you can. Kunning water leaves no trail." Saying this, Big Ben stepped into the stream, which was a small shallow one, and flowed for nearly half a mile through a sort of meadow among the mountains. Down this they all waded, carefully avoiding the banks, until they reached a narrow part where the stream tumbled over a precipice. Here the trapper paused, and was about to give some directions to his comrades, when the sound of constrained breathing was heard near to him. With a sudden demonstration of being about to fire, he turned and cockeAhis gun. The sharp click was no sooner heard than three Indians burst out from beneath the bushes which overhung the water, and springing up the bank, fled for their lives. The trapper could not refrain from chuckling. I OVER THE ROOKY MOUNTAINS 67 " These," said he, " are some of the rascals that caught us, making their escape by the same way that we are, but they don't know the ground as well as I do, and apparently have got perplexed at the top 0* the fall. 'Tis well. If the Eedskins pursue, they will find the trail here as clear as a king's highway — see what a gap in the bushes they have made in their fright at the sound o' my lock ! "Well, well, it's not many men that have pluck to keep quiet wi' that sound in their ears, and the muzzle pointed at their heads ! All we have to do now is to descend the precipice without disturbing the shrubs, and then " A sound of horses galloping arrested him. "Hist! don't move!" At that moment about a dozen of the horses belonging to the v/ar-party came thundering down along the banks of the stream. They had broken loose, and were %ing from the Indians who had attempted to catch them. On nearing the precipice, over which the stream leaped with noisy petulance, the snorting steeds drew up in alarm, as if undecided which way to turn. " A rare chance 1 " cried tiie trapper. " Every man for himself — keep well up the hill, comrades, an' hem them in." Saying this, he ran up the bank, the others fol- lowed, and, in a few minutes, they drove the steeds into a corner, from which they made a sudden rush, but as the long halter of each was trailing at its side, Uii 4 I i [ m OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS no difficulty was experienced in securing several of them as they passed by. Next moment the fugitives were mounted and hastening away from the scene of their late adventure as fast as the rugged nature of the ground would permit. It is not necessary that we should follow our ad- venturers in all their windings through the mighty fastnesses of the far West. Suffice it to say that they made good their escape from the Indians, and that, for many days, they travelled through scenes so beautiful and varied that they have been spoken of by those who know them well as a perfect paradise. Every description of lovely prospect met their admir- ing eyes in endless succession, but so wary were the lower animals, and so few the human inhabitants, that those realms were to all appearance absolute solitudes — created, apparently, for no end or pur- pose. Nevertheless, there was enough there to tell the Christian philosopher that God had made the deserts for the enjoyment of His creatures, for, although not always visible or audible, myriads of living beings were' there — from the huge buffalo and grizzly bear to the sand-fly and mosquito — which rejoiced in the green pastures and luxuriated beside the sweet waters of the land. One afternoon the travellers came upon a small plain, which reminded them somewhat of the prairies. The first glance showed them that it was crowded with buffaloes. Instantly a sensation of wild excitement passed through their frames, and showed ^: OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS •9 ': L !,- r itself in various ways. The Irishman uttered a shout of delight, and suggested an immediate onslaught; but it is due to his wisdom to say that the shout was a subdued one, and the suggestion was humbly made. Our hero became restless and flushed, while the eyes of Bunco and Big Ben alone served as out- lets to the fire w . -h burned within. The plain was surrounded by low wooded hills, and had a lake on one side winding with many an inlet amongst the hills and into the plain, while here and there a tiny promontory, richly clothed with pines and aspens, stretched out into the water. Among the bluffs, or wooded islets of the plain, were to be seen several herds of bulls feeding about a mile off, and other bands in the distance. " Tighten your girths," said Big Ben, dismounting. The horse which the trapper had secured, though not his own, was almost equal to it in point of size and strength. Hp eyed it with evident satisfaction as he tightened the girth saying that if it wasn't for the difference in colour . would have thought it was the old one. The others, havmg also seen to their harness, mounted, and the cavalcade advanced at a walking pace into the plain. When they arrived within quarter of a mile of the largest band, the buffalo began to move slowly off. Tb^ scattered groups, seeing the horsemen, drew together, and, soon forming a large band, went off at a slow lumbering canter. The trapper, breaking into a trot, led the way, takiQg care to increase his speed gently, so as 4'.!, 70 OVER THE ROOKY MOUNTAINS to gain on them insensibly, until he had got within about two hundred yards of the nearest, when he went ofif at full speed with a wild hurrah! The others followed, brandishing their arms and cheer- ing in the excitement of the moment, while they hammered the horses* ribs violently with their un- armed heels. As they closed with them, the herd broke into separate bands, and each man, selecting the animal nearest to him, pursued it with reckless indifference to badger holes. Fortunately for the riders, the horses, being accustomed to the work, knew the danger, and kept a sharp look-out on their own account. Soon several shots told that the slaughter had begun, but each hunter was quickly separated from the other, and none knew aught of the success of the rest until the run was over. There was something particularly ludicrous in the appearance of the bulls as they lumbered along in their heavy gallop ; their small hind-quarters, covered with short hair, being absurdly disproportioned to the enormous front with its hump and shaggy main. As they galloped along, their fringed dewlaps and long beards swayed frcwn side to side, and their little eyes glanced viciously as they peeped from out a forest of hair at the pursuing foe. One of the bulls suddenly took it into his head to do more than peep! He raised his tail stiff in the air — a sign of wicked intentions — turned round, and received Larry's horse on his forehead. Larry described the segment of n- OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 71 r a pretty large circle in the air, and fell flat on his back ; but he jumped up unhurt, caught his horse, which was only a little stunned, and, remounting, continued the pursuit of the bull and killed it. He then pulled up, and looked round to see how it fared with his companions. Ben and Bunco were not in sight, but he observed Will Osten in hot pursuit of a large wolf. With a wild cheer, he made after him, and, by making a detour, came in front of the wolf, and turned it. Will fired at it quite close, but missed. Larry, who had reloaded, also fired and missed. Then they loaded and fired again, without success ; so they endeavoured to ride over the animal, which they succeeded in doing, as well as in run- ning against each other violently more than once, but without hurting the wolf, which dodged between the horses' legs, snarling viciously. This game went on until the horses began to get exhausted. Then the wolf made straight ofif over the plain, and gained the mountains, still hotly followed, however, until it became evident to the pursuers that their steeds were blown, and that the wolf was distancing them at every stride. When they at length unwillingly pulled up, the shades of evening were beginning to descend on the scene, and neither bufifalo nor comrades were within range of their vision. " Humph I we *ve got lost because of that rascal," grumbled Will Osten. " Bad luck to it I " exclaimed his companion. ;!;(, sin 73 OVER THE FOCKY MOUNTAINS I % m 1 :*'. "Have you any idea of the way back?" asked Will, with a look of perplexity. *Not in the laste," said Larry; "it's always the way, when a man goes on a wild-goose chase he's sure to come to grief, an' a wild-wolf chase seems to belong to the same family." Will was too much vexed to reply, so he urged his steed to a gallop, and tried to retrace his way to the little plain, but the more they wandered the deeper did they appear to stray into the mountains. Meanwhile, the trapper and Bunco, having cut ofif the best parts of the animals they had killed, made their encampment on the highest bluff they could find near the lake, and prepared supper ; look- ing out now and then for their absent comrades. As the evening wore on they became anxious, and went out to search for them, but it was not till the follow- ing morning that they were discovered, almost falling out of their saddles from exhaustion, and wandering about they scarce knew whither. Conducting them to the camp, the trapper and Bunco gave them food and then allowed them to sleep until the sun was high, after which, with recruited energies and spirits, they resumed their journey. Thus they travelled for many a day — now scaling rugged mountain passes where it seemed doubtful whether the horses would be able to clamber, anon traversing rich meadows, and frequently meeting with and shooting deer, bears, Rocky "lountain goats, and the other wild inhabitants of the region. ¥ OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 73 •ifc. 1 (•■ But, in course of time, they reached a particularly barren part of the mountains, to travel through which was a matter of extreme difficulty, while, to add to their hardships, game became very scarce. One evening they met with an adventure of a rather warm description, through the carelessness of Larry, which well-nigh cost them their lives. They had reached a forest of small pines, through which they proceeded several miles, and then finding that the trees grew so close together as to render progress very difficult, they resolved to encamp where they were, and, accordingly, cut down a clear space, in one part of which they f^tened the horses and at the other end made the camp. The weather had for a considerable time been hot and dry, and mosquitoes and gadflies were very troublesome. They therefore lighted a fire for the horses as well as for themselves, in order to let the poor creatures get the benefit of the smoke which, as long as it lasted, effectually cleared away the flies. It was Larry's duty that night to hobble and secure the horses, but Larry was fatigued, and particularly anxious to commence supper with as little delay as possible. He therefore fastened the horses so inse- curely that one of them got loose, and without being perceived, kicked about some of the blazing embers in his anxiety to get into the thickest of the smoke, and so find relief from his tormentors. These embers set fire to the dry moss. While the travellers were busy with supper, they were startled by a loud '% 74 OVBB THE ROCET MOUNTAINS i',' crackling sound. Before any of them could jump up, they heard a roar, which was followed by a mighty illumination. One of the neighbouring pines had caught fire, and blazed up as if it had been gun-cotton. The moirjnt was critical. The little wind there was blew from the burning tree towards the spot where they sat. They had scarcely realized what had occurred when another and another of the trees flashed up, for although green, they burned like the driest timber. To unloose and drive the horses out of danger, and carry off theii camp equipage in time, was impossible. Big Ben, seeing this at a glance, seized his axe and shouted to the others to assist. He sprang it the interven- ing trees, and, exerting his enormous strength to the uttermost cut them down as if they had been willow- wands — fortunately they were small ; some of them were lopped through wfth a single crashing blow,. Our hero was not slow to emulate Ben, and, although not so expert, he did such good execution that in a few minutes there was a wide gap between the camp and the burning trees. But the horses, meanwhile, were in danger of being suffocated, and the dry moss under foot was burning so fiercely that the fire threatened to spread in spite of their exertions. Seeing this. Bunco and Larry — first casting loose the horses — ran with their kettles and mugs to a neighbouring stream for water, which they poured on the moss. By this time they were nearly surrounded by fire and r ii OVBB THE ROCKT MOUNTAINS 75 smoke ; the flames roared with appalling fury ; the horse that had done all the mischief got hurnt about the legs, threw himself down in the very midst of the fire and rolled in agony. Axes and kettles were instantly dropped, and all sprang to the rescue; grasped the creature by the head, and tail, but could not drag him out. In despera- tion, Larry seized a stick, and so belaboured him that he leaped up and rushed out of the smoke and flames, terribly singed, indeed, but not much hurt otherwise. After this the fire was again attacked and gradually its progress was cut off, so that our travellers were ultimately enabled to remove to a place of safety. But the flames had only been checked ; they soon spread again, and, away to lee- ward of them, set the whole region on fire. From their new encampment that night, they could see rolling clouds of smoke mingling with tongues of flame which shot up, ever and anon, above the trees and brought out in strong relief, or cast into deep shadow, the crags, gorges, and caverns of the moun- tains — presenting a scene of terrible devastation and indescribable sublimity. 'li :i)l Tft OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS E ft A. 1 i; OHAPTEK V DESCRIBES A QUIET NOOK, AND SHOWS HOW LARRY CAME BY A DOUBLE LOSS, BESIDES TELLING OF WON- DERFUL DISCOVERIES OF MORE KINDS TTt\N ONE. w E must guard the reader, at this point, from supposing that our adventurers were always tumbling out of frying-pans into fires, or that they never enjoyed repose. By no means. The duty which lies upon us, to recount the most piquant and stirring of the incidents in their journeying, necessitates the omission of much that is deeply interesting, though unexciting and peaceful. For instance, — on one occasion, Larry and Bunco were deputed to fish for trout, while our hero and the trapper went after deer. The place selected by the anglers was a clear quiet pool in a small but deep rivulet, which flowed down the gentle slope of a wooded hill. The distant surroundings no doubt were wild enough, but the immediate spot to which we refer might have been a scene in bonnie Scot- land, and would have gladdened the heart of a OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 77 painter as being his heau-idial, perhaps, of a " quiet nook." The day wub quiet too ; the little birds, apparently, were very happy, and the sun was very blight — so bright that it shone through the mirror- like surface of the pool right down to the bottom, and there revealed several large fat trout, which were teazed and tempted and even exhorted to meet their fate, by the earnest Larry. The converse on the occasion, too, was quiet and peaceful. It was what we may style a lazy sort of day, and the ang- lers felt lazy, and so did the fish, for, although they saw the baits which were held temptingly before their noses, they refused to bite. Trout in those regions are not timid. We speak from personal ex- perience. They saw Larry and Bunco sitting astride the trunk of a fallen tree, with their toes in the water, bending earnestly over the pool, just as dis- tinctly as these worthies saw the fish ; but they cared not a drop of water for them ! Larry, therefore, sought to beguile the time and entertain his friend by giving him glowing accounts of men and manners in the Green Isle. So this pleasant peaceful day passed by, and Pat's heart had reached a state of sweet tranquillity, when, happening to bend a little too far over the pool, in order to see a peculiarly large trout which was looking at him, he lost his balance and fell into it, head first, with a heavy plunge, which scattered its occupants right and left ! Bunco chuckled immensely as he assisted to haul him out, and even ventured to chaff him a little. 9 (I p 1 78 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAmS r I' ■ I' " Yoo's good for dive, me tink." " True for ye, lad," said Larry, smiling benignantly as he resumed his seat on the tree-trunk, and squeezed the water out of his garments. " I was always good at that ; an' it's so hot here that I took a sudden fancy to spaik to the fishes, but thv dirty spalpeens are too quick for me. I do belaive they 're comin' back ! Look there at that wan — six pound av he's an ounce." Not only did the six-pounder return to the pool almost immediately after Larry left it, but a large number of his brethren bore him company, and took up their former position as if nothing had happened. Nay, more, the surprise had apparently so far stirred them up and awakened them to a per- ception of their opportunities, that the six-pounder languidly swallowed Bunco's hook and was in a moment whisked out of his native pool and landed on the bank, — for the anglers fished with stout cord and unbending rods ! " Musha ! but ye 've got 'im," exclaimed Larry. "Yoos better take noder dive," suggested his friend. " Hooroo ! " shouted Larry, as he whipped another large fish out of the pool. This, however, was the last for some time. The trout, ere long, appeared to have settled down into their foimer lazy condition, and the anglers* hopes were sinking, when it suddenly occurred to the Irishman, that if the fish were stirred up with a : OVER THE ROCKT MOUNTAINS ft pole they might be again roused to an appreciation of their advantages. Accordingly a pole was cut, the trout were judiciously stirred up, and several of them actually took the bait in the course of the afternoon — whether under the influence of the un- wonted excitement we do not pretend to say, but certain it is that before sunset an excellent dish was secured for supper I Equally peaceful and pleasant were the experi- ences of our hero and the trapper on that tranquil day. They wandered about in a state of silent happiness all the forenoon ; then they shot a grizzly bear, the claws and teeth of which were claimed by Will, as he had drawn first blood. After that a deer chanced to come within range of the trapper, who brought it down, cut off the best parts of the meat, and kindling a fire on the spot, sat down with his companion to a fat venison steak and a pipe. " This sort o' life is what I calls happiness," said Big Ben, puffing out a cloud, through the hazy curls of which he gazed at a sunny landscape of unrivalled beauty. " So it is," assented Will Osten, with enthusiasm. " An' yet," pursued Big Ben thoughtfully, " when I come to think on 't, this sort o' life would be no happiness to an old man, or to a weak one." " No, nor to a woman," added WilL "Not so sure o* that," said the trapper; "I've know'd Injun women as was about as good hunters as their husbands, an' enjoyed it quite as much." K. '/l\ .3 m 80 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS " That may be so, Ben, but women of the civilised world would scarcely think this a happy sort of life." "P'raps not," returned Ben. "Happiness is a queer thing, after all. I 've often thought that it *s neither huntin' nor farmin', nor fair weather nor foul, that brings it about in the heart o' man or woman, but that it comes nat'ral to man, woman, and child, when they does what is best suited to their minds and bodies, and when they does it in the right way." " Which is very much like saying," observed Will, " that happiness consists in obeying the laws of God, both natural and revealed." "Just so," assented the trapper, after a few moments' consideration, "though I never quite thought of it in that light before." Thus they conversed — or, rather, in somewhat similar strain? 1 liey chatted, for they did not pursue any subject long, but allowed their minds to rove where fancy led — until evening began to close ; then they carried their meat into camp and closed the day with a sumptuous feast of fish, flesh, and ibwl, round a blazing fire, while the stream, which formed their beverage, warbled sweet music in their ears. This, reader, is a specimen of one of their quiet days, and many such they had; but as these days of peace bore no proportion to the dayp of toil and trouble, we must beg you to be content with the account of this one as a fair sample of the rest, while we carry you over the Kocky Mountains and ■ OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS M bear you down their western slopes towards the Pacific Ocean. The mountains being crossed, the future course of our travellers was down hill, but in some respects it was more toilsome than their uphill journey had been. The scenery changed considerably in respect of the character of its vegetation, and was even more rugged than heretofore, while the trees were larger and the underwood more dense. Many a narrow escape had Will and his friends during the weeks that followed, and many a wild adventure, all of whi'ch, however, terminated happily — except one, to which we now request attention. They had reached the Fraser Eiver — that cele- brated stream of British Columbia which waters a country that was destined in after years io become one of the great gold-mining regions of the world. On the afternoon of which we write, the party rode with difficulty down the rugged banks of the river, which, roaring through a narrow valley, had over- flowed its banks, so that the trail was completely covered, the horses being frequently up to the girths in water. In the course of the day they came to a place where the trail passed along the face of a lofty cliff of crumbling slate. The path was only just v/ide enough for the horses to pass On the right rose a perpendicular precipice. On the left, a few yards below, the swollen waters of the Fraser roared and boiled down their rocky bed with tremendous velocity. On turning a projection they found the '•l( |!'' ii i I 82 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS track barred by a huge rock which had recently slipped down the mountain side. As it was impos- sible to pass the obstacia either above or below, there was nothing for it but to cut down trees, use them as levers, and dislodge the mass. It was discovered, when they dismounted, to undertake this task, that Larry O'Hale was amissing. Will Osten had just uttered an exclamation of surprise, and the others had not had time to reply to the question, " Hallo ! what 's become of Larry ? " when that worthy's voice was heard shouting in the distance, and his horse's hoofs were heard clattering along the narrow track as he approached at full gallop. " Hooroo ! howld on, doctor ; hi' Bunco an' Ben, look here. Goold, avic, goold, I've got it at long last, sure enough ! " " You 've got rid of your senses at last," said Will as his comrade almost rode him down. "Have a care, man! What makes you ride at such a pace ? " " Goold ! goold ! goold ! " cried the excited Irish- man, plucking a little bag from his breast, leaping off his horse, and pouring the contents — a mass of glittering lumps and particles — on a flat stone. " Didn't I tell ye I was born to make my f ortin' out o' goold ? There *s plenty more where that corned from. Come back an' I *11 show 'ee the place ! " " I 'm sorry to disappoint you, Larry," said Will, examining the so-called gold, " but I have seen this stuff before and I believe it to be a substance which 'i \^ I i I % ijAHKV s tlOKSt; CO.ilKrt lo (JHIK*. i-lil.,> OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 86 is not worth its weight in brass. Many poor fellows have been deceived by it before now.' Larry's face elongated very much at this. " What say you Ben ? " he inquired. " I fear me that it an't worth picking up," replied the trapper, fingering the shining particles. " Least- wise I once collected a bag o' the same an' showed it to a man in the settlements who got the credit o' bein* a knowxu' fellow in regard to metals. He told me it was somethin* that I don't remember the name of, but worth nothing, so I heaved it away " Thus doubly assured, Larry sighed deeply as he col- lected the shining metal into the bag and stood eye- ing it disconsolately. At this point Bunco chuckled. "Worse luck to it," cried Larry, starting and tossing the bag violently into the stream, where it sank and vanished for ever. Little did any of the party imagine, at that time, that they had actually cast away some hundred pounds worth of pure gold, yet such was actually the case ! As it left Larr '3 hand, the bag touched the nose of his horse, which shied, slipped over the bank, fell into the river, and was swept away. Instani';; they all clapped their shoulders to the big stone, and pusheu with such good- will that it slipped and went crashing into the stream, while the party went off at full speed after the horse. The poor animal was found at last stranded amid a mass of driftwood, with its saddle and baggage gone, but beyond this and the fright, no harm was done. J. II ^ ^ II 4 \ m Si ,1 * ^1 1 P! 1:1 I 86 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS " Misfortin's niver come single. 'Tis always the way. Howsiver, niver say die; better luck nixt time ; ye '11 make yer fortin* yit, av ye only parse- vair an* kape up yer heart, ould boy." Thus soliloquizing, the unfortunate man remounted his wet and bare-backed steed, and rode away. Time and tide are usually understood to wait for no man ; we therefore decline to wait either for time or tide, but, sweeping onward in advance of both, convey our readers at once to the sea coast near Vancouver's Island, where our adventurers arrived after an unusual share of toil and trouble, and found a small craft about to sail for California — took passage in her, and, in due time, arrived at San Francisco. The gold fever had just set in there. The whole town was in an uproar of confusion. Excitable men had given up their ordinary work, or shut their shops, and gone off to the diggings. Ships were lying idle in the bay, having been deserted by their crews, who had gone to the same point of attraction, and new arrivals were constantly swelling the tide of gold-seekers. Here Will Osten found his father's agent — a staid old gentleman of Spanish extraction, who, being infirm, as well as old, was fever-proof. Being somewhat taciturn, however, and rendered irritable by the upheavings of social life which were going on around him, he only vouchsafed the infor- mation that the estate which belonged to the late Mr. Osten was near the gold-field ; that it was not OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 87 a rich one by any means, and that his advice to Will was to go and see it for himself. Accepting the advice, our hero expended the greater part of his remaining cash in purchasing provisions, etc., for the journey to the Sacramento Kiver. By steamer they accomplished the first part of it, and on horseback progressed north-eastward until they drew near to the mighty mountain range named the Sierra Nevada. On the way they had more than enough of com- pany, for men of every clime and of all ages, be- tween sixteen and fifty, were travelling on every description of horse and mule in the same dir'sction. From most of these, however, they parted on reach- ing the entrance to the narrow valley in which the estate was said to lie. " Is it far up the valley ? " asked Will Osten of the landlord of the last ranche, or inn (a small hovel) in which they had passed the night. " Not far," replied the innkeeper, a shrewd intelli- gent Yankee, with a touch of the nasal tone for which the race is noted ; guass ife 's about three leagues off." " A wild gloomy sort o* place, no doubt ? " asked Larry. " Rayther. It 11 stand tamin' a bit. There 's no- body lives in the whole valley 'xcept a band o' miners who have been prospectin' all over it an' locatin' themselves in the house without leave." "Locatin', is it?" exclaimed Larry, "faix, it's « 1 i. I'' J ■ ■ 88 OV£J{ THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS N vacatin' it they '11 be, widout so much as * by yer lave,' this night." " Have they found much gold, do you know 1 " asked Will Osten. '' Believe not," replied the innkeeper. " It's not a likely place — though there may be some, for gold has been found below this, as you would see, T s'pose, when you passed the diggers on Cocktail Creek." Bidding the host good-bye, our hero and his friends rode off to take possession of the estate. Tliey were well armed, for, in these days, might, not right, was the law of the land. It was evening before they reached the head of the valley where stood the house or wooden cottage which had been the abode of Will's eccentric old rehitive. The scenery was savage and forbidding in the extreme. Lofty njouutains rose on every side, and only a small portion of the land in the neigh- bourhood of the dwelling had been brought under cultivation. The house itself was a low long-shaped building, and stood on the banks of a stream which gushed and tumbled furiously along its rocky bed, as if in hot haste to escape from the dark mountain gorges which gave it birth. A hut near by was the residence of im old native who had been the owner's only servant, and a few cattle grazing in the meadow behind the house were tended bv him with as much solicitude as though his late master had been still alive. The only cheering point in the scene was a OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 8d gleam of ruddy light which shot from a window of the house and lost itself in the deepening gloom of evening. " A most lugubrious spot," said Will, surveying it sadly as he rode forward. " Faix, 1 'd recommend ye to aiiU it to the miners for whativer it '11 fetch," said Larry in a disappointed tone. " They *re a jovial set of squatters, whatever else they may be," said Big Ben, as an uproarious chorus issued from the house. " Hallo ! Bunco, what d 'ye hear, lad?" Bunco's visage displayed at that moment a com- pound expression of surprise and deep attention. Again the chorus swelled out and came down on the breeze, inducing Bunco to mutter a few words to Big Ben in his native tongue. " What is it ? " inquired Will, eagerly, on behold- ing the huge frame of the trapper quivering with suppressed laughter. " Nothin', nothin'," said Ben, dismounting, " only the redskin's ears are sharp, and he has heard sur- prisin' sounds. Go with him on foot. I 'U hold the horses." " Come 'long, foUer me quick as you can," said Bunco, in a whisper — " no take guns — no use for dem." Filled with surprise and curiosity, Will and Larry followed their comrade, who went straight towards the window from which the light streamed. I i my u do OVEK THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS A voice was heard siuging within, but it was not loud, and the air couhl not be distinguished until th(3 chorus burst forth from a number of powerful lungs: — •* Hearts of oak are our ships, Jolly tars are our men — " At the first noto, Larry sprang past his compan- ions, and peeped into the room. The sight that met his gaze was indeed well calculated to strike him dumb, for there, in a circle on the floor, with the remains of a roast of beef in the centre — red- shirted, long-booted, uncombed, and deeply bronzed — sat six old comrades, whom they had not seen for such a length of time that they had almost forgotten their existence — namely. Captain Dall, long David Cupples, old Peter, Captain Blathers, Muggins, and Buckawanga ! They were seated, in every variety of attitude, round a packing-box, which did duty for a table, »&4 each held in his hand a tin mug, from which he drained a long draught at the end of the chorus. The last shout of the chorus was given with such vigour that Larry O'Hale was unable to restrain himself. He flung open the door, leaped into the room witf* ^ cheer and a yell that caused every man to spring u> and seize the nearest weapon, and Captain Dall, in a burst of fiery indignation, was in the act of bringing a huge mass of firewood down on the Irishman's skull when Will Osten sprang in and arrested his arm. At the same moment Muggins recognised his old messmate, and, ■ I OVEK THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 91 ( rushing at him, seized him with a hug worthy of a black bear ! To describe the scene of surprise, confusion, and delight that followed were impossible. Th* ques- tions put that were never answered; the answers given to questions never put ; the exclamations ; the cross purposes ; the inextricable conglomeration of past, present, and future history — public, personal, and local ; uttered, < jaculated, and gasped, in short, or incomplete, or disjointed sentences — all this bafHes description. After a few minutes, however, they quieted down, and, while the new arrivals attacked the roast of beef, their former messmates talked incessantly, and all at once ! " You 're the laird of a splendid estate of rocks and scrub," said Captain Dall to Will. " Not to mention the river," replied Will, smil- ing. " Without fish in it, na ! " groaned Cupples. " But lots o' goold," suggested Larry, with a wink ; "give us a drop o' yer grog, lads, it's dry work meetin' so many friends all at wanst." " Nothin' but water here ! " said Muggins. "What! wos ye singin' like that on cowld wather?" " We wos ! " returned Muggins. " An' what 's more," said Old Peter, " we *ve got used to it, an' don't feel the want of grog at all. * What 's in a name,' as Jonathan Edwards says in his play of * Have it yer own way/ or somethin' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) <^.4i 1.0 I.! 11.25 us |Z5 2.2 - 1^ 118 1^ lllll^ <9 ^ V] /2 #/-^ ^K^^' '> '/ /A Photographic Sdences Corporation %%^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.V. 14580 (716)872-4503 ■:,<■ 93 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS like that. "Why, if you call it grog an' make be- lieve, it goes down like — like " "Wather," suggested Larry; "well, well, let's have a drop, whativer it is." " But how comes it to pass," inquired Will, " that we should all meet here just as people are made to do in a novel, or at the end of the last scene in a play?** "Nothing more natural," said Captain Blathers. "You know, when we were cast adrift by the scoundrels that took my ship, Captain Dall, Mr. Cupples, and I, made the coast, and got to San Francisco, where we remained, working at what we could, to scrape together a little money before leav- ing for England, as we had no heart for the goldfields. Some months after that we were surprised to see Old Peter and Muggins wandering about the town like beggars. They had come in a small craft from South America, and were very glad to join us. We were soon persuaded by them to go to the goldfields, and were about to start when we heard of this estate that had been left to a Mr. Osten by his brother. I made inquiries, found it was your father it was left to, and, having heard from Muggins of your father's death, I wrote a letter to let you know we were here, and to ask advice — which letter, by the way, is about half seas over to England by this time, if all's well. Then we agreed to come here, and prospect for gold all over the estate — the which we have done, but without much luck as yet, I to say. sorry /^^ OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 93 " ** But you have not yet accounted for the appear- ance of Buckawanga ? " said Will. " Oh, &3 to that, Muggins recognised him one day in the street. We found he had come over from them rascally Cannibal Islands, in the service of a missionary " " What ! " exclaimed Will, dropping his knife and fork. " The missionary, you know," said Captain Dall ; " Mr. Westwood, who *' " Is he — is his family — in San Francisco ? " asked Will, recovering himself and pretending to be busj with his supper. " Ay, he is on hi« way to England — waiting for a ship, I bsiieve ; but Buckawanga prefers the gold- fields, and so, has come with us, as you see." " Are the Westwoods well — all of them ? " " So far as i\'e know, they are. But in regard to the gold hereabouts *' "Ay, that's the thing," said Larry, who had glanced at our hero with twinkling eyes when reference was made to the Westwoods; "nothin' like goold to warm the heart of d, poor man an' gladden the eyes of a rich wan. It's that same as '11 interest the doctor most." " Well," resumed the Captain, " as I was about to say ^" " Didn't I hear you say something about going to San Francisco for fresh supplies and more tools a few minutes ago ? " asked Will abruptly. ' I I: I t 94 OYER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 7M " You did ; we are short of provender and hard up for tools. I meant to start to-morrow, but now that you 've come I '11 delay *' " We '11 not delay an hour," cried Will, with un- usual energy. " It will never do to waste time heie when people are making fortunes all round us. The rest of the party can remain to prospect — but you and I, captain, will start for San Francisco to- morrow ! " " Ho, ho ! " said Larry to himself that night, as he smoked his pipe after retiring to rest ; " it 's neck or nothin' is it — never ventur* never win, is the word ! Well, well, 'tis the way o' the world. My blessin' go wid ye, doctor." With this benediction on his lips he turned round, shook the ashes out of his pipe and went to sleep. OVEk THE fiOCEY MOUNTAINS CHAPTER VI IN WHICH WILL MAKES A BETR06RADE MOVEMENT, AND THINGS COME TO A PRETTY PASS — A SUDDEN AND DECISIVE STEP "VTEXT morning, true to his word, Will Osten JLi started o£f to retrace his steps to San Fran- cisco, much to the regret as well as surprise of all his friends, except Larry O'Hale and Bunco, both of whom, being aware of his motive, chuckled mightily in their sleeves but wiselj?^ said nothing. Will was accompanied by Captain Dall and Mr. Cupples, the former of whom gave him an account of his adven- tures since the period of their separation in the South Seas. As most of these adventures, however, were nob particularly striking, and as they do not bear upon our tale, we will not inflict them on the reader, but merely refer to that part of the captain's career which was mixed up with our hero's new possessions in the Grizzly Bear Gulch, as his valley was named. "You see, doctor/' said Captain Dall, as they cantered easily over the soft turf of a wide plain, which, a little beyond the entrance to the gulch, spread out for a considerable distance along the base I I wo \ • ■ i'iS:AL3uLi 96 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS r of the Sierra Nevada, " you see, when we discovered that this valley, or gulch, as they call it here, was yours — or your fathei's, which I suppose means the same thing — Captain Blathers, Mr. Cupples, Muggins, Old Peter, and I held a council of war, and come to the conclusion that we would go up an* have a look at it, hopin' to find gold, but first of all we went to the regular diggin's on the Sacra inento River to learn how to wash out the dirt an' make enough to keep us goin*. "When we had done this an* lined our pockets with enough of gold-dust to set us up, we started for Grizzly Bear Gulch, where we found nobody but Old Timothy, the native that had been your uncle's servant." " Timothy,*' said Will, " was that his name ? ** " No, but he could not tell us his name, for the good reason that he does not understand a word of English, so we christened him Timothy, and he answers to it. The old man cut up rusty at first, and seemed disposed to drive us away, but by howl- ing the name of Osten into his ears and giving him a little gold, we converted him into a friend, and got him. to allow us to squat in the empty house. Then we went off prospecting, and found gold, sure enough, in the stream in front of the door, but there was not much in the places we tried — little more than enough to pay.'* " Then you don't think much of the property, T suppose,** said "Will, " for it is evident that in regard to agriculture it is not worth a straw ? ** OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 97 " I 'm not so sure of that," returned the captain. " What do you think, Mr. Cupples ? " The mate, whose melancholy tones and expres- sions had increased with his shore-going experiences, said that he did not know ; that he was no judge of such matters, but that gold might be found in quantity, and, if so, the place would be worth some- thing ! " A safe conclusion," said the captain, laughing ; " but that is just the point. Gold has turned up in all directions near the valley, and why should we not find it there? Besides, there is a pretty fair bit of land under cultivation, and vegetables fetch fabulous prices at the diggin's ; in addition to which there are a good many cattle on the ground, and provisions of all kinds are as good as gold just now — so, you see, I think that even if we don't find more of the dust on it, there is some chance that you may raise the wind by the property if you act wisely." " Well, we shall see," said Will ; " at all events I intend to make the most of my opportunities — and, talking of that. Captain Dall, as I see that Mr. Cupples is lagging behind, a word in your ear — I 'U tell you a secret." Hereupon our hero made the captain his con- fidant ; told him of the object of his journey, and 1 3gged his advice and assistance, both of which the worthy man agreed to give him, to any extent, at any time, and under all circumstances — proving m If ' H OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS the sincerity of his assurances on the spot by at once offering several pieces of advice. One of these was, that Will should hasten on the consummation of his wishes without delay. This, as may be believed, was so consonant with Will's own opinion that he accepted it at once, and acted upon it then and there, as far as was possible, "i y plying whip and spur so vigorously that his steed skimmed over the plain more like a swallow than a quadruped. Progressing thus they were not long in reaching the city of Sacramento, which was four or five days' journey from Grizzly Bear Gulch. Here they em- barked in a small schooner, and descended the noble Sacramento River, into which all the other rivers in California flow. Thence they coasted along the bay of San Francisco, which is a laud- locked sea of more than forty miles in length, and, finally, anchored off the town of the same name. And a wonderful town it was ! The news of the discovery of gold had drawn so many thousands of ships and men to the port, that the hamlet of former days had become a city of tents and iron and wooden edifices of every kind. Gold can in- deed work wonders — and never was its power more wonderfully displayed than in the rapid growth of San Francisco. But our hero took small note of such matters. He was bent on a mission which engrossed his whole soul and nil his faculties, and the fear that the Westwoods had found a homeward-bound ship, OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 99 Irs. ana perhaps had already set sail, induced him to go about everything he did in feverish haste. During the few weeks that had passed since he last saw it, the town had so changed its features that Will could scarce find his way, but at last he managed to discover the office of the agent who had advised him to go and see his property. Mr. Zulino, as he was named, received his visitor with his wonted crustiness mingled with surprise, which was some- what increased when he found that Will could not give a very comprehensible reason for his sudden return to the city. He could give no information as to the Westwoods, knew nothing about them, but advised that Will should make inquiry at the principal hotels in the town and at the shipping- office, adding that he believed one of the ships which had long been lying in the port, unable to sail for want of hands, had at last succeeded in getting up a crew, and was to sail in a day or two for England, but he did not know her name or anything about her. "It is plain we can make nothing out of Mr. Zulino," said Will, with a look of chagrin, on quitting the office. " Come, let us go hunt up the hotels." "Agreed," cried Captain Dall. Mr. Cupples groaned his readiness to follow, so they set off. All that day the three wandered about the city into every hotel and shipping-office, and every public place they could find, until they were thoroughly exhausted, but without success. G 100 OVKR THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS "Now, doctor," said the captain, wiping his heated brow, " if we are to gain our ends, it is plain that we must feed. I feel like a ship's hold without a cargo. See, here is a comfortable-looking inn; let us go and stow away something solid, have a pipe, and then turn in, so as to go at it fresh to- morrow morning early." **Very well," said Will languidly; "but I can- not rest, so do you go and order something while I try to cool myself by taking a stroll up this hill. I '11 be back before supper is ready." " I will go with you," said Mr. Cupples gloomily. Poor Will would have gladly gone alone, but as he had no good reason for declining the companion- ship of his tall and solemn friend, he merely said, " Very good," and walked away. Passing over the hill they came to a neat little cottage with a small garden in front, in which were a variety of flowers that evidently were well tended. The windows and doors of the cottage were invitingly open. As they passed the garden-gate a voice suddenly ex- claimed, " Walk in." They stopped abruptly, looked at the open door, and then at each other in surprise. '* Walk in," repeated the voice, louder than before. " Well, really, I don't see why we should refuse so pressing an invitation," said Will with a smile. " You may go in ; I '11 wait for you," said Mr. Cupples. In another minute our hero was in the lobby of OVER THK ROCKY MOUNTAINS 101 )r, Ire. ise [r. of the cottage, and then he discoveiHul, — on the words "walk in" being reiterated, very gruttly, — that it was a grey parrot which had l)een thus taught to use the language of hospitality ! Will laughed, and was about to turn on his heel when he observed a female reclining on a couch in one of the rooms. She looked up quickly on hearing his step and laugh, and Will, hesitating for a moment, advanced with the intention of explaining and ajjologising. "Forgive my apparent intrusion, madam," he said, "but your parrot deceived — what! — am I — Flora — Miss Westwood ! " he exclaimed in amaze- ment, leaping forward and seizing her hand. " Mr. Osten ! " said Flora, with a look of un- feigned surprise, " can it be — I — I — did not know — really " Now, reader, it would be ungenerous were we to give you a detailed account of all the absurd things that were uttered at the commencement of the conversation. Suffice it to say that Will and Flora stammered and blushed, and grew hot and cold, and tried to look cool and failed, signally, and then, feeling how very awkward their position was, made a desperate effort to be commonplace, and so began to talk with intense solicitude about " the weather!" Will soon perceived, however, that in the circum- stances this was utterly ridiculous, so he made another effort and asked about Flora's father and mother, and then, happy thought, he suddenly re- membered Buckawanjja, and beeran to descant upon 102 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS liim, after which he naturally slid into ships and voyaging, and so came abruptly to the ques- tion : — " By the way, Miss Westwood, is it true that you are trying to secure a passage to England just now?" " We have succeeded in securing one/' said Flora, with a deep blush and a peculiar look. " We sail to-morrow." " To-morrow ! " cried Will, in consternation. There was for a moment a great swelling of some- thing in our hero's breast ; then a sudden thought occurred, ** Never venture never " ; next instant he seized Flora's hand. "Oh, Miss West — Flora, dearest Flora — forgive — nay, do not turn away, I entreat, I beseech " " Old rascal ! " exclaimed a stern voice at his back at that moment. Will sprang up, burning with anger, and turning sharply round, observed the parrot gazing at him in mute surprise. " Walk in — old rascal," repeated the bird. Will laughed, but there was a touch of bitterness in his tone as he turned again to Flora, who had risen from the couch. "This is an awkward interruption, Flo — Miss Westwood, but necessity constrains me. I must, I mil speak now, if — bear with me, dear girl, I did not mean to be rude, but " A footstep was heard in the passage. " Supper will be cooling, 1 tear," said the hollow ! OVKR THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 103 voice of Mr. Cupples. " Oh ! I beg pardon. I did not know — I " Will turned, and rushed at his friend with savage intentions. At the same moment the figure of a man darkened the doorway. Mr. Cupples vanished out of the house, Flora glided away, and Will Osten found himself face to face with Mr. Westwood I It might have been expected that the scene which followed would have been an embarrassing one, but such was not the case. Our hero had reached that point of nervous and mental turmoil and exasperation in which extremes meyt. As the strong current of a river meets the rush of the rising tide, and at a certain point produces dead calm, so the conflicting currents in Will's bosom reached the flood, and he became desperately serene, insomuch that he held out his hand to Mr. West- wood, and, with a smile of candour and a tone of deep earnestness, explained "the situation," and made " a clean breast of it." The result was, that Mr. and Mrs. Westwood received his advances favourably, but, being naturally cautious and solici- tous about the happiness of their daughter, they pointed out that it was impossible to come to any conclusion at that time, because, in the first place> Will was, by his own showing, a poor wanderer with only the prospect of an income at his mother's death, and without professional practice ; and, in the second place, as they were to set sail for England on the morrow, there was no time left even 104 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS for consideration. Mr. Westwood, therefore, said that he could not permit Will to see Flora again, except to bid her farewell, and advised him to have patience until he should return to England, where, he said frankly, he would be happy to see him. Will thereupon left the cottage, in a state of dis- traction, to lay his case before Captain Dall. "So you see, captain," he added, after detailing all the circumstances, "there is only one course open to me, and that I am resolved to pursue. I shall sail for England in the — the what *s the name of the ship the Westwoods are to sail in ? " " Don't know," answered the captain. " Of course not — no matter. We shall find out. She sails to-morrow at all events, and I go with her. You will go back with Mr. Cupples to Grizzly Bear Gulch, work the gold, make what you can out of it, pay yourselves, and hold the estate for me. I *11 get that legally arranged to-night. You *11 tell my comrades how sorry I am to leave them so abruptly, but under the circumstances they will " " "Softly," interrupted Captain Dall; "if all this is to be settled to-night, we had better set about it at once, and not waste time with words." "Right, captain. Let us off to search for the captain of the ship." Leaving Mr. Cupples to eat the supper alone, our hero and his friend went out in hot haste, and soon found themselves in the presence of the ■ I OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 105 • captain of the " Koving Bess," which was to sail next day. " By the way," whispered Will to his friend, as they were entering the room in which the skipper sat, " do you happen to have any cash ? for / have only twenty pounds." " Not a rap," whispered the captain. " You are the captain of the ' Koving Bess,* I am told ? " said Will, addressing a big raw-boned man, who sat at a table solacing himself with a glass of spirits and water and a cigar. " Ya-a-s, Cap'n Bra-a-o-wn, at y'r sarvice." Captain Brown drawled this out sc slowly that one might have supposed he did it on principle, as a sort of general protest against the high-pressure speed and hurry that influenced everyone around him. " You have passengers going, I understand ? " " Ya-a-s. Kevd. genlm'n an' two ladies." " Can you take another ? " " A dozen mo-a-r, if need be." "Then put my name down. How much is the passage fare ? " "Fo-a-g-sl two hundred, cabin three hundred pa-o-unds.'' " What ! " exclaimed Will. Captain Brown smiled. " You see," said he, " it c-a-unt be done for less — ha — 'Bliged to give fa~bu-lous wages to crew, and only too thankful to get 'em at any price. Provisions cost their weight a-most, in gold." 106 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS : I li" r ' \}i "Will you be here an hour hence?" asked our hero. " Ya-a-s, two hours hence," drawled Captain Brown, lighting a fresh cigar at the stump of the old one. Will Osten linked his arm through that of Captain Dall, and hurried him into the street. "Now to the agent," he said. "If he fails me, all is lost — stay ! no ; I can offer to work my passage. That did not occur to me till now. I shall keep it in reserve." A few minutes more and they stood in the presence of Mr. Zulino. " Is it possible," said Will, with an anxious ex- pression of face, "to sell the property in Grizzly Bear Gulch immediately ? " The dry visage of the agent wrinkled into a sarcastic smile as he replied, " Ha ! I see, you are like all the rest — wish to turn everything into gold- Well, it is possible to sell it, I make no doubt, because it is well situated and will increase in value ; but what do you mean by immediately ? " " To-night," said Will. "Impossible." "What's to be done?" cried our hero, turning to Captain Dall with a look of such perplexity and disappointment that even the hard heart of Mr. Zulino was touched. " Why such haste ? " he inquired. "Because business of the most urgent kind requires that I should embark for England in a t , , OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 10/ vessel which sails to-morrow, and I have not monev enough to pay for my passage." " I can lend you some on the property, at jl high rate of interest," said the agent. " Then do so, my dear sir," said Will earnestly, " at any rate of interest you choose, and I will sign any papers you may require. My friend here, Captain Dall, will see that you are regularly paid. I assure you that I shall never forget the obligation." " Follow me," said Mr. Zulino, rising and putting on his hat. He led them to the office of a man who appeared to be connected with the law, and who drew up a paper which, being duly signed and witnessed, Mr. Zulino put in his pocket, at the same time handing Will Osten a cheque for four hundred pounds. "Now, captain," said Will, with a deep sigh of relief, as they once more issued into the street, " we *11 go and enjoy our supper." Next morning Will Osten, with a small port- manteau containing his little all in his hand, and accompanied by Captain Dall and Mr. Cupples pushed his way through the crowded streets to the quay, where a boat awaited him. " Once more. Captain Dall," he said, turning round and grasping his friend's hand, " farewell ! I am sorry — more so than I can tell — to leave you. May God prosper you wherever you go. Remember my messages to our friends at the gulch. Tell Larry and Bunco, and the trapper especially, that I feel I 108 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS almost like a criminal for giving them the slip thus. But Low can I help it ? " " Of course, of course," said Captain Dall, return- ing the hearty squeeze of Will's hand, " how could you ? Love, like necessity, has no law — or, rather, itself is a law which all must obey. Good-bye, lad, and good luck attend 'ee." Silently shaking hands with Mr. Cupples, whose lugubrious expression seemed appropriate to the occasion. Will leaped into the boat and was soon rowing over the bay to the spot where the " Eoving Bess " lay with her anchor tripped and hoi flails loose. On approaching, he saw that Mr. Westwood and his wife were pacing the quarterdeck, but Flora was not visible, the reason being that that busy little woman was down in her father's berth putting it to rights — arranging and re-arranging everything, and puzzling her brains with numerous little contrivances which were all meant to add to the comfort and snugness of the place — wonderfully ingenious contrivances, which could not have emanated from the brain of any woman but one who possessed a warm heart, an earnest soul, a sweet face, and a tumed-up nose! She was a good deal dishevelled about the head, in consequence of her exertions, and rather flushed, and her eyes were a little moist. Perhaps she was sad at the thought of leaving San Francisco — but no — she was leaving no friends behind her there. That could not have been the cause ! The little round port-hole of the berth was open OVBK THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 109 .1 ^ ;.' and she stopped ever and anon in the midst of her operations to look out and listen to the variety of shouts and songs that came from the boats, vessels, and barges in the bay. Suddenly she stopped, turned her head the least bit to one side, and listened intentl " My dear," said Mr. Westwood to his wife stand- ing on the deck and leaning over the bulwarks, exactly above the open port near to which Flora stood, " can that be Mr. Osten in yonder boat ? " Flora's bosom heaved, and her colour vanished. " I think it is — stay — no — it looks like — yes, it is he," said Mrs. Westwood. Flora's face and neck became scarlet. Presently the plash of oars were heard near the vessel, and next moment a boat approached, but not from such a quarter as to be visible from the porthole. "Mind your starboard oar," said a deep voice, which caused Flora's heart to beat against her chest, as if that dear little receptacle of good thoughts and warm feelings were too small to contain it, and it wanted to get out. " Good morning, Mr. Osten," cried Mr. Westwood, looking down. "Good morning, sir, — good morning, Mrs. West- wood," answered Will, looking up. "It is very kind of you to take the trouble to come off to bid us good-bye," said Mr. Westwood. Flora trembled a little, and leaned upon the side of the berth. ■ 110 OVER THE KOCKY MOUNTAINS " I have not come to say good-bye," said Will (Flora's eyes opened wide with astonishment), " 1 am going — tend off, men, fend ofif, mind what you are about — I am going," he said, looking up with a smile, " to sail with you to England." A peculiar gleam shot from Flora's eyes; the blood mantled again on her brow, and, sinking into a chair, she pressed her hands to her face and buried her head in her father's pillow ! •^ .^ OYER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS HI CHAPTEE VII t •^ .^f RAMBLING REMINISCENCES OF ABSENT FRIENDS, AND A HAPPY TERMINATION ON the evening oi a cold December day — the last day of the year — many months after the occurrence of the events narrated in the last chapter, old Mrs. Osten sat in her drawing-room, toasting her toes before a cheerful fire. The widow looked very happy, and, to say truth, she had good reason for being so, for her stalwart son had come home to her safe and sound, and was at that moment sitting by her side talking in a most amazing way about his Flora — referring to her as a sort of captive bird which had now no chance of escaping, saying that he meant to take her to Paris, and Switzerland, and Eome, and in summer to the English Lakes, and Killarney, and the Scotch Highlands. "In fact, mother," said Will, "after that little event comes off, which is fixed to take plnce next week, I mean to act the part of Wandering Will over again under entirely new and much more interesting circumstances. Ah! mother," he con- tinued with enthusiasm, "how little did I think, when I was travelling through the wild regions of 1 I; ' ' 112 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS the far west, that I was being led to the spot where I should find such a wife ! " " Yes, dear, you were indeed led" said Mrs. Osten, " for that wild region was the very last place in the world to which you would have thought of going to look for a good wife, had you been guided by your own wisdom." "True, mother, most true. Gold is much more plentiful in that land than wives, either good or bad. 1 wonder how my old comrades are getting on there now. You remember Larry, mother, and Bunco. How I wish I could have had them all here at our wedding! You would have delighted in old Captain Dall, and Captain Blathers, too, he 's not a bad fellow though rather wild, but Big Ben would have pleased you most — by the way, this is the last night of the year. I doubt not they will be remembering me to-night, and drinking my health in clear cold water from the crystal springs of the Sierra Nevada. Come, I will pledge them in the same beverage," said Will, seizing a glass of water that stood at his elbow ; " may success, in the highest sense of the word, attend them through life." " Amen," murmured the widow, as Will drained the glass ; " I hope they may get plenty of gold without catching the gold-fever, which is just another name for the love of gold, and that, you know, is the root of all evil. But go on telling me about your adventures, Will; I never tire of hearing you relate them." OVER TnE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 113 ** Well, mother, I '11 begin again, but if you will be for ever interrupting me with questions and remarks about Flora, I shall never get to the end of them. Now, then, listen." Hereupon Will began to talk, and his mother to listen, with, we need scarcely say, intense interest. Thus was the last night of that year passed in the drawing-room. Let us see how it was spent in the kitchen. " Yes, Jemimar," said Maryann, with her mouth full of buttered toast, "I always said it, and I always thought it, and I always knowed it, that Master Will would come 'ome, and marry a sweet beautiful young lady, which 'as come true, if ever a profit spoke, since the day of Jackariah — let me fill your cup, my dear, p'r'aps you '11 'and me the kettle, Eichards." The worthy coachman rose with alacrity to obey, and Jemima accepted the proffered cup of tea in the midst of a vain attempt to quiet the baby Eichards, which happened to be unusually restive that night. " To think, too," continued Maryann with a laugh, "that I should *ave gone an* mistook the dear creetur at first for a cannibal ! " " Maryhann," said Jemima solemnly, " I don't believe there 's no such things as cannibals." " No more do I, Jemimar — did you speak, Mr. Eichards?" inquired Maryann, with a sudden assumption of dignity. The coachman, who was devotedly engaged with 114 OVER TFS ROCKY MOUNTAINS his fifth slice of buttered toast, protested solemnly that he had not upoken, but admitted that he had experienced a tendency to choke — owing to crumbs — just at the point when Maryann happened to allude to the cannibals. Maryann had a suspicion that the tendency to choke was owing to other causes than crumbs ; but as she couhi not prove her point, and as the baby Eichards took it into his head at that moment to burst into an unaccountable and vehement fit of laughter, she merely tossed her head, and resumed her observations. " No, Jemimar, nothing will ever convince me that there are any savages so depravated as to ;iit>fer a slice of 'uman flesh to a good beefsteak, an' it's my belief that that hiniperent Irishman, Larry O'Ale, inwented it all to gammon us." " I quite agree with you, Maryhann," said Jemima, who indeed always agreed with any proposition her friend chose to put forth ; " an' I 'old that it is con- trairy to 'uman reason to imagin such beastliness much less to do it." Here Richards had the temerity to observe that he wasn't quite sure that such things were never done; "tor," seid he, "I 'eard Mr. Osten himself say as 'ow he'd seen 'em do it, an' surely he wouldn't go for to tell a lie." At which remark Temima advised him to hold his tongue, and Maryann replied, with an expression of scorn, that she wondered to 'ear *im. Did he suppose Master Will didn't sometimes indulge in a little 'armless . 1 • • OVER THE KOCKY MOUNTAINS 116 t jesting like other people ? She would have added more, but unfortunately the crumbs got into Richards' throat again, causing that sceptical man to grow red in the face, and give vent to sounds like mild choking. "'Owever," observed Jemima, "it don't matter now, as Mr. William and *is bride are safe 'ome again, and if Mr. O'Ale also was fond of a joke, like other people, there is no 'arm in that. Poor fellow, I 'ope 'e's well, an' Mr Bunco too, though he is a Red Hindian." " 'Ear, 'ear ! " said Richards, suddenly seizing his cup ; " let us drink their 'ealth, an* the 'ealth of all their comrades, for this is the last night of the year, an* by all accounts they won't likely be spendin* it in the midst o' such comforts an' blessin's as we does. Come, lasses, drink it merrily, fill yer glasses, let the teapot circle round." The tone in which this proposal was made, and the fact that it was ';he last night of the year, induced Mary an n to respond, with gracious condescension : — " Well, Richards, I 'm agreeable." "Here, then," said Richards, raising his cup on high, " I give you the 'ealth of Mr. Larry O'Ale, Mr. Bunco, an' all absent friends — wishin' 'em luck, an' lots o' gold." "An' a 'appy deliverance from these 'orrible countries," added Maryann. "I agree with you, Maryhann." said Jemima, H 11 1 116 OVKR TIIR ROCKY MOUNTAINS draining her cup to the dregs iu honour of the toast. But how did Larry and his friends spend that last night of the year in the far-off" golden land? Let Larry speak for himself, in a letter which was received by Will Osten, many months afterwards, and which we now give verbatim et literatim. The letter in question was written in a remark- ably cramped hand, on several very dirty sheets of blue ruled foolscap, folded with much care and orookedness, and fastened with a red wafer which bore the distinct impression of an extremely hard knuckle. It ran thus : — " grizlie bar gultch first janooary. " Dear mister osten, i taik up my pen, tho its litil i has to do wid sitch things, to let yoo no that this coms hopin' your al wel as it leeves us — barrin bunko who overait hiself last nite at super but bees al rite again, yool be glad to larn that we hav diskivered lots o goold. wan day whin i wns up the straim i thowt id tri me luk in a hole, an faix didnt i turn up a nugit o puer goold as big as my hid. i tuk it down to ohe hous an' didnt we spind a nite over it I its glad i was we had no likker for i do belaive weed have all got rorin drunk, as it was, sure we danced haf the nite to the myoosik of a kitle drum — an owld tin kitle it was, but we didnt mind that, niver a taist, for the nugit kep up our sperits. Wel, we wint an turned up the hoi^ OVER THK ROCKY MOUNTAINS 117 kuntry after that, an' got heeps o goold. yool niver belaive it — there was nugits o' all sises from a pay to a pitaity. Kaptin dal wint to sant'ransisky last munth an hees paid of the det to mister zooleeno, interest an all, so yoor free, an' theres a big sum in the bank, but i dont no ritely how much, but Kaptia dal is to rite yoo soon as to that an' a good many other things, he's too much exited about the nugit just now to midle wid the pen, so he's maid me his depity, dee see, an its that saini im all ways willin to be, for im at all times as kool as a kookuinber, an had a lirst-rate eddikashun — good luk to the parish praist, anyhow — theres a good skreed to begin wid, an' so as theres enuff in this part o' me leter to kaip ye thinkin till dinner, ill just go out an have another dig in the straim an resoom ma pen when i cum bak. " Wei, mister osten, as i wor saying, ive returned bavin got nothin, bad skran to it, but a few small bits like a thimble, howsumeiver, that samell pay for sharpnin the tools, i now sit down to resoom me pen, as i said before i got up, but och! if ye heerd the row the other boys is goin on wid, yed find it as diffikilt to read this as i do to spel it. but niver mind, that saim dont mater much, for, as i said before, im allways kooll. " Wei — youve no notion what a work we hav wid the goold, bekais, dee see, weer pikin it up in hand- fulls, sumtimes wid a nugit, now an again, like ytf fist, an the boys is raither exited, for ov koorse they ! i 118 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS kant al keep as kool as me — but let that pas. as I wor sayin, the row is diffinin for that blakgird Buckywangy is spinin a yarn as long as the mane yard o a sivinty-fore about wan o' thim spalpeens in the kanible ilands as had his unkles darters waitin maid, as wor a slaiv, hashed up, wid two litle boys an a pig, into what hees got the face to call a Irish stu, an it didnt sit lit on the Kanibles stumick for the raisin they forgot the pepper — its not aisy to write wid sich blarny ringin' in wans eers — an the boys larfin too as loud amost as the nigers yel in the Kanible islands — be the way, that minds me purty miss westwood as we met thair. its mistress osten sheel be by this no doubt, plaiz give her Larry's best respeks, an its wishin her good luck i am, an the saim to yei silf. " Yool be glad to heer that buncos found his wife, he wint away south for three or fore weeks, an brot her bak wid him, an she hadnt married nobody in his absence, tho its urgin her purty hard they was. shees patchin a pair o me owld breeches at this minit while I write them lines, an is uncomon usful wid her needle, capu blathers says he had no notion before that wimin was so nisisary to man, but hees a dirty owld bachiler. the traper tawks o lai^dn us, im sory to say. hees a good harted man an a rail broth of a t ^y is big ben, but he dont take kindly to goold diggin, thats not to say he kant dig. hees made more nor most of us, an more be token he gave the most of it away to a ■ (■ ^' OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 119 poor retch of a feller as kaim hear sik an starvin on his way to sanfransisky. but big bens heart is in the roky moantins, i kan see that quite plain, i do belaiv he has a sowl above goold, an wood raither katch foxes an bars, he sais heel stop another month wid us an then make traks for his owld hants— just like the way we sailors long for the say after a spree on shore, thb i must say non of us say-dogs have any longin as yit to smel salt water, big ben sais that this sort o work is nother good for body nor sowl — an, dee no, i half belaiv hees rite, for kool tho i am i feels a litle feverish sometimes, i wos goin to tel ye a anikdot abc *t mister cupples an a brown bar, but the boys are off to the straim again, so i must stop, but il resoom ritein after tay — hopin yool exkuse my fraquint intern pshuns, mister ostin, il go. "Wei, heer i am again — ^.just corned in wid a failin about my inside like a botimles pitt, but thats aisy kured. il talk up the pen after tay, only i want to tell ye weer in Ink agin, i got fore nugits as big as walnuts, and heeps o smal wans, an the rest has got a dale o goold v»an way or other, now for super. " There, the pitts fild up now. wel, whair was i. och ! yes, it was about mister cupples an the brown bar. you must no that hees got the fever pritty bad, has mister cupples — the goold fever i mean, an goes off an owr or too before the rest of us walks up of a mornin, but he dont make no more goold, which owld peter — yoo remir^ber owld peter, mister ostin ■ ill ^tp 120 OVER thjs rocky mountains — sais is a spechiel visitashun for his beem avarid- gious. anyhow, he gits les slaip than the rest of us an no more goold. wel, as i wor sayin, he wint off wan mornin up the straim, an it so hapind that big ben and bunco wint in the saim direkshun. in the afternoon, as they was comin home, they turned off the trak and sot down to rest a bit. who shood they see comin along the trak soon arter but mister cupples. he was comin along slow — meditatin like — for he always corned back slow from digin, as if he was loth to leav, but wint thair kuik enuff, anyhow, close behind him wos trotin a big brown bar. the bar didnt see him, by raisin that the trak was krookit and the skrub thik; but it was goin fast, and had almost overhawled mister cupples whin he wos cloas to the place whair the too men was hidin. heers fun, sais the traper, kokin his gun. bunco he grin'd, but didnt spaik. yool remimber, mister osten, bunco had a way of his own o gfinin widout spaikin, but big ben sais his eyes more nor makes up for his tung. wel, just as he comes fornint the too men, mister cupples he heers a sound o futsteps behind him, an stops an turns round, heed no gun nor nothin wotsomiver wid him, havin left all the tools at the place he was digin. in a moment round the corner cums the bar ful swing, it was a sharp turn, and the site o the mate kuite took him aback, for he got up on his hind legs and showed al his grinders, mister cupples was also much took by surprise, but he U . I mma ' OVEE THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 121 ■ I sudd^ntly shook his fist in the bar's face, an shoutid, ha, yoo raskal, as if he wor spaikin to a fellar creetur. whether it wos the length o the mate's face, or not bein yoosed to convarsashun, no wan nos ; but the bar he 'bout ship, clapt on all sail, and stood away up the gulch at the rate o 15 or 20 nots, while mister cupples he looked after him chuklin, an bunco and big ben too was larfin fit to bust their sides, tho they larfed inside, like, for fear o dis- kiverin thimselves, but when big ben see the bar cleering ofif like that he up wid his gun, let drive, an put a bal kuite nate in the bak of his skul. if mister cupples wasnt afeerd o the bar, he got a most awful frite by the shot, for yoo must no theres bin a dale murtherin going on at the digins of lait, tho, be good luk, its not cum our way as yet, so he turned and run like al posesed. yoo no what long leggs hees got, faix, he cleerd the ground wid them like a peir kumpasses, an he was out o site in no time, an cum heer pantin and blowin like a broken- winded steem-ingin. soon after that, big ben cum in wid the skin o the bar over his shoulder, and bunco caryin his too hams to smok, for bar hams ant bad aitin, let me tell yoo, if yoor hungry an not partick- ler. of koors.e mister cupples hasnt had the life ol a dog since, for the boys are for iver jokin him amost out of his siven sensis about that bar. " This is about all iv got to tell, mister osteo, not but that i cud go on for paiges an paiges yit, given ee odds an ends o snial tawk an ginral uuse, for ■fH) 122 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS whin i wance begin wid the pen i niver no when to stop — its awthership il taik to, maybe, if ivir I git into diffikultys — but its ov no yoos spinin out a yarn when its done, so il stop now, wishin ye all helth an hapines, wiu the saim from all yer owld frinds at the grizlie bar glutch digins. they bid me say thail never forgit the hapy days theyve spent wid ye in the south says, an the forests of south ameriky an the roky mountins. but them days is all past an gon now. sure i sometimes feel as if the hole thing was a draim. dont you, mister osten. wid best wishes, yoors til deth. Larry o hale." "|9.s. — Plaze give my apologys to yoor muther for forgitin to send my respeks to her. also to maryan, whos a dasent woman av she wasnt so fond o' fitein. also to richards an' his beter haf gemima. Shees a good sowl too av she wasnt aflikted wid too ardint a desir to wair some of her husbands garmints. so no more at present from L.o.h.** We can add little to the record so graphically penned by Larry O'Hale, and it were well, perhaps, that, having spun our yarn out to the end, we dhould follow his example and write no more. But we feel that it would be imjust to the memory of our hero were we to dismiss him without a " few words " as to his subsequent career. It happens sometimes, though we believe not frequently, that those who begin life with what may be called a wild burst settle down at last into quiet OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 123 domestic men, whose chief delight it is to "fight their battles o'er again " with sympathetic comrades, and to "wander in dreams." Such was the case with Will Osten. Flora acted the part of a best- bower anchor to him all through life, and held him fast ; but, if the whole truth must be told, it is our duty to add that "'Vill did not strain hard at the cable ! He rode easily in the calm harbour of home^ which was seldom ruffled with gales — matrimonial or otherwise The success of his Californian estate was so great that, besides setting up in life the most of the comrades who had followed his fortunes, it placed himself beyond the necessity of workmg for his daily bread. Will did not, however, lead an idle life on that account. He recognised the great truth that he was answerable to his Creator for the management of his time and talents just as much as the man who has to earn his bread in the sweat of his brow, and he made it his chief aim in life to act the part of a faithful steward. That he did not succeed in this to the full extent of his wishes is certain, nevertheless his success must have been considerable if we are to believe the opinion of his friends, who used to say of him, with enthusiasm, that he was a blessing to the community in the midst of which he dwelt, for, in imitation of the Master whom he served, he went about continually doing good. In process of time, several little boats (if we may ■t [ 124 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS be allowed the e..pression) appeared in the harbour and cast anchor alongside of Will; or, rather, attached themselves to the anchor which held him fast ; and Flora was quite able to hold them all — though it must be admitted that she had infinitely more trouble with the little boats than she had with the big ship, for they had all wandering wills of their own, and, from the time of their first appear- ance, evinced a strong tendency to strain with tremendous vigour at their cables. Indeed, on several occasions, one or two of the boats attempted actually to cut their cables and make off, as the old ship had done before them, but Will's wisdom and Flora's winning ways prevailed, and it was found that, having been trained in the way in which they should go from the commencement, they did not depart from that way when they grew old. In reference to the early existence of this little flotilla, we may, with propriety, quote the opinion of Maryann — than whom there could not be 9 better witness, for she dwelt in Will's house, and nursed them al ,3 she had nursed their father before them — superintended, of course, by old Mrs. Osten, who dwelt in a cottage of her own hard by, and watched the rise and progress of her descendants for many a year with keen felicity. Maryann, in talking over matters with her faithful bosom friend, was wont to «ay: — " Yes, Jemimar, I never had two opinions about it, they 're the beautif ulest an* sweetest children I OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 125 I ever did 'ave had to do with — ^just as Master Will, their papa, was simularly so ; but I 'm free to confess that they all has a surprisin' sperrit. There's Master William, now (I can't abear to call him WiU because that was the name as 'is father went by, and I 'old that in a sense it is sacred), there 's Master William, though 'e 's only jist out o' frocks an' frilled trousers, and noo into blue tights an' brass buttons, there 'e is, goin' about the country on a pony as isn't much bigger than a Noofoundland dog, but goes over the 'edges an ditches in a way as makes my blood to curdle an' my skin to creep, with that dear boy on 'is back and 'is tail fly in be'ind, an' shoutin* with a sort of wild delight that I do think is wicked — I do inJeed, Jemimar, I give you my word I think it sinful, though, of course, 'e don't mean it so, poor child, and 'is father cheerin' 'im on in a way that must sear his conscience wuss than a red 'ot iron, w'ich 'is mother echoes too ! it is quite past my compre'ension Then 'e comes 'ome sich a figur, with 'oles in 'is trousers, an' 'is 'ats squeezed flat, an' 'is jackets torn. But Master Charles ain't a bit better. Though 'e's scarcely able to walk *e can ride like a jockey, an needs more mendin' of 'is clo'se than any six ordi- nary boys. Miss Flora, too, would be just as wild if she weren't good and bidable, w'ich is 'er salvation ; an' the baby — oh! you wouldn't believe it! didn't I catch that hinfant, only the other day, tryin* to throw a sommerset in its bed, in imitation of Master William, an' yesterday morning I caught Master 126 OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS Charles trying to teach it to 'ang on to the clo'se-rope in the nursery by its toes ! It 's an awful trainin* the poor things is gettin' — an' the only comfort I 'ave in 'em is, that their dear mother do constantly teach 'em the Bible — w'ich condemns all sich things, — an' she do manage to make 'em fond o' wisitin' an' considerin* of the poor." To which observations Jemima, holding up her hands and gazing at her bosom friend in sympathy would reply that her own sentiments was hidenti- cally simular, that things in general was to her most amazin', and that there was no accountin' for nothin' in this life, but that w'atever came of it she 'oped the family would live long an' 'appy in a world, w'ich was, she must confess, a most perplexing mixture of good and evil, though of course she wasn't rightly able to understand or explain that, but she was sure of this anyhow, that, although she was by no means able to explain 'erself as well as she could wish, she knew that she wished well to every one who stuck to the golden rule like Mr. and Mrs. Osten. With which sentiment, good reader, we shall conclude this chronicle of the life and adventures of Wandering Will, and respectfully bid you farewell. Ediuburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constablk, MR. R. H. BALLANTYNE'S MISCELLANY OF ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE TALES. With Illustrations. Is. each. li. each The Athenaeum says : — " There is no more practical way of communicating elementary information than that which has been adopted in this series. When we see contained in 124 small pages (as in Fast in the Ice) such information as a man of fair education should possess about icebergs, northern lights, Esquimaux, musk-oxen, bears, walruses, etc., together with all the ordinary incidents of an Arctic voyage, woven into a clear, connected narra* tlve, we must admit that a good work has been done, and that the author deserves the gratitude of those for whom the books are especially designed, and also of young people of all classes." # Fighting the Whales ; or, Doings and Dangers on a Fishing Cruise. 11. Away in the Wilderness; or, Life among the Red Indians and Fur Traders of North America. III. Fast in the Ice; or. Adventures in the Polar Regions. IV. Chasing the Sun ; or, Rambles in Norway V. *■ Sunk at Sea; or, The Adventures of Wandering Will in the Pacific. VL Lost In the Forest; or, Wanderin>r Will's Adventures in South America. ''I ll. each. Mr. Ji. M. Ballanti/ne's Miscellany — continued. VII. Over the Rocky Mountains; or, Wandering Will in the Land - - ■ Ski of the Red Skins. VIII. Saved by the Lifeboat i or, A Tale of Wreck and Rescue on the Coast. IX. The Cannibal islands; or, Captain Cook's Adventures in the South Seas. X. Hunting the Lions; or, The Land of the Negro. XI. Digging for Qold ; or. Adventures in California. XII. Up in the Clouds ; or. Balloon Voyages. j XIII. '^ The Battle and the Breeze; or, The Fights and Fancies of a British Tar. XIV. The Pioneers s A Tale of the V/cstern Wilderness. XV. The Story of the Rock. XVL Wrecked but not Ruined. XVIL The Thorogood Family^ xvin. the Lively Poll : A Tale of the North Sea. .1 • ^ ■ ^ '' Land * >n the n the .| ''^- ■" > of A • , , ■■1 'I mmmam S r [■■> ■ i Books for Young Readen. \: THE BLUR CLOTH LIBRARY. Large Orovm 8vo. 2». 6d, taah. 1, THB STORY OF A MOTHER. By Janr H. Findlatib. a. A UNION OF HEARTS. By Katharink Tynajj. 3. OASUIERBD. Stoiiei of the South African Veldt. ByANDsrw BALrOOB. 4. 6. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 15. By 0HABLE8 T:'inuufB. A TALE OF TWO CITIES. A DREAM'S FULFILMENT. Bv Mrs. Waltob > THE WORK OF OLIVER BYRD. By ADBUwi Sbbobakt. POOR SONS OF A DAY. By Allan M'Aulat. ORANFORD. By Mrs. Gabkell. LADY ROSALIND. By Mrs. Marshall. THB CLEVEREST WOMAN IN iix^GLAND. ADAM BEDE. By Gborob Eliot. 12. THE MILL ON THB FLOSS. By Qbobob Bliot. 13. THE MEASURK OF A MAN. By LiviNasTON Prbsoott. LITTLE WOMEN AND GOOD WIVES. THB WOMAN IN WHITE. By Wilkib Collins. By L. T. THE PRIZE SERIES, Demy 8vo, gilt edget. 6$. each. L THE DAYS OF BRUCE. By Grace Aouilab. 2. BARRIERS BURNED AWAY. By E. P. RoB. 3. BEN-HUR. By Lew Wallace. 4. HOME INFLUENCE. By Grace Aouilab. 5. OPENING OF A CHESTNUT BURR. By E. P. Rob. 6. FROM PLOUGHSHARE TO PULPIT. By Gobdon Stable8 8. THE LAMPLIGHTER. By Maria S. Cummins. 9. STEADY YOUR HELM. By W. 0. Mbtoalfb. 10. THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE. B; Graor Aouilar. IL THE ROVER CARAVAN. By Gordon Stables. 12. WESTWARD HO ! By Oharles Kinoslet. 13. NOR'ARD OF THE DOGGER. By E. J. Matheb. 14. NESTLETON MAGNA. 15y J. Jackson What. 16. JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. By Mrs. Craik. 16. MATTHEW MELLOWDEW. By J. Jackbon Wrat. 17. A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. By Gordon Stables. 18. THE RIP'S REDEMPTION. By E. Livingston Pbesoott. 19. OLD MORTALITY. By Sir Walter Scott. 20. OFF TO KLONDYKE. By Gordon Stables. 21. THE PEARL DIVERS. By Gordon Stables. 22. YOKED TOGETHER. By Ellen Davis. 23. ST. ELMO. By A. J. E. Wilson. 24. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 26. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. By Ohab. Readk 26. GASCOYNE. By R. M. Ballanttnb. 27. FACE TO FACE WITH NAPOLEON. By O. V. Cainb. 28. IN THB YEAR OF WATERLOO. By O. V. Oainb. James Nishet & Co.'s List. THE PRIZE SERIES— continued. 29. INFELIOB. By A. J. B. Wilbon. 30. A TALE OF TWO CITIES. By Ohablks DiflKEMB. 31. THE LIFEBOAT. By R. M. BALliANTTNK. 32. THE LIGHTHOUSE. By R. M. Ballanttne. 83. SHIFTING WINDS, By R. M. Ballanttne. 34. THE MILL ON THE FLOSS. By Georob Eliot. 35. ONE OF THE RED SHIRTS. By H. Haybns. 36. LITTLE WOMEN AND GOOD WIVES. 87. GENERAL GORDON. By Lieut. -Col. Ohurohill. 38. DANESBURY HOUSE. By Mrs. Hbnrt Wood. 39. TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS. 40. BETWIXT TWO FIRES. By J. Jackson Wbat. 41. THE WOMAN IN WHITE. By Wilkib Collins. THE HALF-HOUR LIBRARY OF TRAVEL, NATURE, AND SCIENCE. In attractive binding, and containing nearly 100 lUustrationt in each volume. Crown 8vo, St. 6d. each, QUt edges, Ss. 1. HALF-HOURS ON THE QUARTER-DECK. The Spaniah Armada to Sir Cloudesley Shovel, 1670. 2. HALF-HOURS IN AIR AND SKY. The Marrebi of the Universe. 3. HALF-HOURS IN FIELD AND FOREST. By Rey. J. G. ^^ooD T^ A. 4. HALF-HOURS IN THE DEEP. The Nature and Wealth of the Sea. 5. HALF-HOURS IN THE TINY WORLD. The Wonders of Insect Life. 6. HALF-HOURS IN THE HOLY LAND. By NoRMAN MACLEOD, D.D. 7. HALF-HOURS IN MANY LANDS. Arctic, Torrid, and Temperate. 8. HALF-HOURS WITH A NATURALIST. Rambles near the Seashore. By the Rev. J. G. WooD, M.A. 9. HALF-HOURS IN THE FAR NORTH. Life amid Ice and Snow. 10. HALF-HOURS IN THE FAR SOUTH. The People and Scenery of the Tropics. 11. HALF-HOURS IN THE FAR EAST. Among the People and Wonders of India. 12. HALF-HOURS IN WOODS AND WILDS. Adventures of Sport and Travel. 13. HALF-HOURS UNDERGROUND. Volcanoes. Mines, and 14. HALF-HOURS AT SEA. Stories of Voyage, Adrenture, and 15. HALF-HOURS IN THE WIDE WEST. Over Mountains. 16. HALF-HOURS IN EARLY NAVAL ADVENTURE. l8 Books for Young Reader i. THE BOYS' HOLIDAY LIBRARY. A New Series of Stories of Adventure for Boys, including copiirigJU works by R. M. BaUantyne, 0. V. Caine, Oordon SteMes, and otJier wdl-known writers. Bound in attractive style, cloth extra, fully illustrated. Large crovm 8vo, Ss. 6d. each, 1. GASCOYNE. By R. M. Ballanttnb. 2. THE BIG OTTEB. By R. M. Ballanttnb, 3. FACE TO FACE WITH NAPOLEON. By O. V. Oainb. 4. IVANHOE. By Sir Walter Scott. 5. A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. By Gordon Stablbs. 6. THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. By J. Fbnimobb Cooper. 7. THE KING'S RECRUITS. 8. WESTWARD HO ! By Charlbs Kingslbt. 9. STEADY YOUR HELM. By W. 0. Metoalpb. 10. BARON AND SQUIRE. A Stort of the Thirty Years' War. 11. THE ROVER CARAVAN. By Gordon Stables. 12. ON THE WORLD'S ROOF. By J. Maodonald Oxley. 13. THa THREE MUSKETEERS. By Alexandre Duhas. 14. OFF TO KLONDYKE. By Gordon Stables. 15. TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. 16. IN THE SWING OF THE SEA. By J. M. Oxlet. 17. REMEMBER THE MAINE. By Gordon Stables. 18. THE LADS OF LUNDA. By J. M. E. Saxby. 19. ABOVEBOARD. By W. C. Metcalfe. 20. THE ADVENTURES OF MR. VERDANT GREEN. 21. THE DUKE'S PAGE. 22. IN THE YEAR OF WATERLOO. By O. V. Caine. 23. THE YOUNG FUR-TRADERS. By R. M. Ballantynb. 24. UNGAVA. By R. M. Ballantyne. 25. STRANGE YET TRUE. By Dr. Maoadlay. 26. FROM PLOUGHSHARE TO PULPIT. Ey Gordon Stables. 27. THE CORAL ISLAND. By R. M. Ballantyne. 28. THE GOLDEN DREAM. By R. M. Ballantynb. 29. THE RED ERIC. By R. M. Ballantyne. 33. THE LIGHTHOUSE. By R. M. Ballantynb. 34. SHIFTING WINDS. By R. M. Ballantyne. 35. ON WAR'S RED TIDE. By Gordon Stables. 36. CHARLES O'MALLEY. By Charles Lever. 87. THE PEARL DIVERS. By Gordon Stables. 38. THE LAST OF THE BAKONS. By Lord Lytton. 39. WITH CUTLASS AND TORCH. By Gordon Stables. 40. TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS. 41. ONE OF THE RED SHIRTS. By H. Havens. 42. IN FOREST LANDS. By Gordon Stables. 43. SOME BOYS' DOINGS. By JOHV Habbkbton. "9 I James Niihet A Co.'s List. THE GIRLS' HOLIDAY LIBRARY. Bovnd in attractive ityU, doth extra, fully illuttrated. Large erovm 8vo. Ss. 6d. eaeh. 1. THE OLOSE OF ST. OHRISTOFHERS. By Mri. Mabshalu 2. NEW RELATIONS. ▲ Story for Girh. By Mrs. Marshall. 3. THOSE THREE. A Story for Qirli. By Mrs. Marshall. 4. LAUREL CROWNS. By Mrs. Marshall. 6. HOUSES ON WHEELS. By Mrs. Marshall. 6. THE LADY'S MANOR. By Mrs. MARSHALL. 7. ONLY SUSAN. By Mrs. Marshall. 8. UNDER THE LABUKNU /f By Mrs. Marshall. 9. THE GRIM HOUSE. By Mrs. Molesworth. 10. THE CLEVEREST WOMAN IN ENGLAND. By L. T. Mbadb. 11. TUDOR QUEENS AND PRINCESSES. By Sarah Tttler. 12. LIZETTE. A Story for Girls. By Mrs. Marshall. 18. EATHERINE'S KEYS. By Sarah Doddnbt. 14. LADY ROSALIND. By Mrs. Marshall. 16. DECIMA'S PROMISE. By AoNBS Giberne. 16. DULCIBEL'S DAY-DREAM. By Mrs. Marshall. 17. THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By W. W. Tdlloch. 18. SILVER CHIMES. A Story for Children. By Mrs. Marshall. 19. DAPHNE'S DECISION; or, Wi^COH SHALL IT BE? By Mrs. Marshall. 20. CASSANDRA'S CASKET. ByMif ft' rshall. 21. POPPIES AND PANSIES. By Mrs. iiiARSHALL. 22. REX AND REGINA. By Mrs. Marshall. 23. THE CATHEDRAL CITIES OF ENGLAND. By Mrs. Marshall. 24. DEWDROPS AND DIAMONDS. By Mrs. Marshall. 26. HEATHER AND HAREBELL. By Mrs. Marshall. 26. THE ROSES OF RING WOOD. By Mrs. Marshall. 27. IN THE PURPLE. By Mrs. Marshall. 28. EASTWARD HO! By Mrs. Marshall. 29. MISS CON ; or, All Those Girls. By Aqnes Gibernb. '\ ' ; 30. KATHLEEN. By AoNBS Oibebnb. ' \ ao ■Mi 1 y. Books for Young Readers. By THE GIRLS' HOLIDAY LIBRART-continued. 81. ENID'S SILVER BOND. By AoNBS Gibkrnk. 32. BERYL AND PEARL. By Agnbs Gibernb. 33. ST. AUSTIN'S LODGE. By Aqnbs Gibbrne. 34. THF DALRYMPLES. By AoNES Gibernb. 36. NUMBER THREE WINIFRED PLACE. By Agnes Gibbrnf. 36. " LEAST SAID, SOONEST MENDED." By Agnes Gibernk. 37. SWEETBRIAR. By Agnes Gibernb. 39. AIMEE. By Agnes GiBER?'a. 40. THE ANDERSONS. By Agnes Gibernb. 41. ALL SORTS. By L. T. Meade. 42. LITTLE WOMEN AND GOOD WIVES. By L. M. Alcott. 43. THE MILL ON THE FLOSS. By George Eliot. 44. A HARD MASTER. By Hill Cornavall Legh. 45. LILLA THORN'S VOYAGE. By Grace Stebbing. 46. THE MEASURE OF A MAN. By E. Livingston Presoott. 47. UNSTORIED IN HISTORY. By Gabrielle Festing. 48. THE KEY TO THE RIDDLE. By Margaret Comrie. 49. A TALE OF TWO CITIES. By Charles Diokens. 50. THE RIP'S REDEMPTION. By E. Livingston Presoott. 51. MY LADY JOANNA. By E. Everett Green. 52. WHEN THE DREAM IS PAST. By Eva Jameson. 53. THAT AGGRAVATING SCHOOL-GIRL. By Grace Stebbing. J .'•. THE SELECT SERIES. Grown 8vo, £s. 6d. net. 1. FROISSART IN BRITAIN. By Henrt Newbolt. 2. F. G. TAIT : A Life Record. By J. L. Low. 3. LORD ROBERTS: A Life FOR Boys. By Violet Bbookb-Hdnt. 4. THE CHILDHOOD OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By Mrs. Gerald Gdrnet. 6, THE CATHEDRAL CITIES OF ENGLAND. By Mrs. Mar- shall. 6. TUDOR QUEENS AND PRINCESSES. By Sarah Tttleb. 7. WESTMINSTER ABBEY. By Violet Bbookb-Hdht. 21 Jamu Nishet A Co*t List, THE ILLUSTRATED ENGLISH LIBRARY. Crovm 8vo. lUuitrated. St. 6d. eaeh. 1. THE HISTORY OF HENRY ESMOND. By W. M. Thackbbat. 2. THE HISTORY OF PENDENNIS. By W. M. Thaokbbat. 3. THE NEWCOMES. By W. M. Thaokerat. 4. VANITY FAIR. By W. M. Thackbbat. 6. JANE EYRE. An Autobiography. By Ghaslottb BbontS. 6. SHIRLEY. A Tale. By Chablottb BBONTiL 7. HYPATIA. By Chables Eingslbt. 8. THE LAST OF THE BARONS. By LoBD Lytton. 9. THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. By LOBD Ltttow. 10. THE CAXTONS. By LoBD Lttton. 11. OHARLES O'MALLEY. By Charles Lever. 12. CRANFORD. By Mrs. Gabkell. 13. THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. By Oliver Goldsmith. 14. THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR. By Sir Waltbb Scott. 15. IVANHOE. By Sir Walter Soott. 16. OLD MORTALITY. By Sir Walter Soott. 17. THE PIRATE. By Sir Walter Scott. 18. ROB ROY. By Sir Walter Soott. 19. WAVERLEY. By Sir Walter Soott. 20. THB ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. 21. ROBINSON CRUSOE. By Daniel DsroB. 22. JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. By Mrs. Obaik. 23. THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. L^ J. Fenimobb Ooofbb. 24. THE SCARLET LETTER. By Nathanibl Hawthobnb. 26. THE HOUSE 01 THE SEVEN GABLES. By Nathaniel Hawthobnb. 26. THE BLITHEDALE ROMANCE. By Nathaniel Hawthorn b. 27. ADAM BEDE. By Gbobgb Euot. 28. A TALE OF TWO CITIES. By Chablbs Dickens. 29. THE MILL ON THB FLOSS. By Qbobob Buot. 2» Books for Toung Eeaders, BB. [IBI. MB. THE WHITEHALL LIBRARY. Printed (m Antique Cream-laid Paper. Crown 8vo, hound in Green and Gold. Priu U. 6d. each. I. THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII. By Lord Ltttos. 3. JANE EYRE. By Charlotte Brontb. 4. HYPATIA. By Charlbs Kingslby. 5. IVANHOE. By Sir Walter Scott. 6. CRANFORD. By Mrs. Gaskell. 7. ROB ROY. By Sir Walter Scott. 8. THE LAST OF THE BARONS. By Lord Lytton. 9. THE PIRATE. By Sir Walter Scott. 10. HENRY ESMOND. By W. M. Thackeray. II. OLD MORTALITY. By Sir Walter Scott. 12. THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR. By Sir Walter Scott. 13. THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. By Oliver Gold- smith. 14. THE CAXTONS. By Lord Lytton. 16 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS 23 James Nisbet & Co*s List. \\ w THE "PILGRIM" SERIES. POPULAR EDITIONS OF STANDARD BOOKS. Crown 8vo, numerous lUuttrationt, St. each; vnik gilt edget, S$. 6d. each. 1. BUNYAITS PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 2. BUNYAN'S HOLY WAR. 8. FOXES BOOK OF MARTYRS. 4. BEN-HUR. By Lbw Wallaob. 5. THE LAMPLIGHTER. By Maria S. Cummins. 6. UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. By H. B. Stowk. 7. ROBINSON CRUSOE. By Daniel Defoe. 10. THE FAIRCHILD FAMILY. By Mra. Shbewood. 11. THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. 12. ROMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY. By P. H. Gobsb. First Series. 13. GREAT MEN. By the late Rev. F. Mtebs. 14. LITTLE WOMEN AND GOOD WIVES. By L. M. Aloott. 15. DRAYTON HALL. By Julia Mathews. 21. BIBLE WARNINGS. By the Rer. Dr. Nbwton. 22. THE PHYSICIAN'S DAUGHTERS. By LuoT Nelson. 26. NOR'ARD OF THE DOGGER. By E. J. Mathbb. 27. SOLDIERS & SERVANTS OF CHRIST. By Anna Lehbbb. 29. DARE TO DO RIGHT. By Julia Mathews. 80. NETTIE'S MISSION. By Julia Mathews. 81. YOKED TOGETHER. By Ellen Davib. 32. OPENING OF A CHESTNUT BURR. By E. P. Roe. 83. ST. ELMO. By A. J. E. WiisON. 84. NAOML By Mn. J. B. Webb. 35. BARRIERS BURNED AWAY. By E. P. Rob. 24 Books for Towng Readers. OBSB. OTT. BABB. 40. GENERAL GORDON. By Major Sbton Chubohilu 41. A KNIGHT OF THB NINETEENTH CENTURY. ByKP.RoB 42. IN THE DAYS OF BRUCE. By Gbaob Aouilab. 43. HOME INFLUENCE. By Gbaob Aouilab. 44. A MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE. By Gbaob Aouilab. 45. THE VALE OF CEDARS. By Gbaob Aouilab. 47. INFELICE. By A. J. B. Wilson. 48. AT THE MERCY OF TIBERIUS. By A. J. E. Wilson. 49. DORRINCOURT. By the Author of " Expelled." 60. WESTWARD HO I By Chablbs Kinqslbt. 51. HOLDEN WITH THE CORDS. By W. M. L. Jat. 53. JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. By Mrs. Cbaik. 54. ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. 55. CRANFORD. By Mrs. Gaskell. 66. WAVERLEY. By Sir Walteb Soott. 57 HYPATIA. By Chablbs Kingslbt. 58. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. By Chaklks Rbade. 59. ADAM BEDE. By Gbobqb Eliot. 60. WAGES. By L. T. Mkadb. 61. BETWIXT TWO FIRES. By J. Jackson Wrat. 62. THE MILL ON THE FLOSS. By Gbobqe Eliot. 63. MATTHEW MELLOWDEW. By J. Jackson What. 64. NESTLETON MAGNA. By J. Jackson Wbat. 65 SHIP "DAPHNE." By T. S. Millinqton. 66. THE KEY TO THE RIDDLE. By Maboabet Combie. 67. WHEELS OF IRON. By L. T. Mbadb. 68. DEBORAH. By Jambs M. Ludlow. 69. DANESBURY HOUSE. By Mrs. Henby Wood- 70 TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS. 71. A TALE OF TWO CITIES. By Chables Dickens. 72 THE WOMAN IN WHITE. By Wilkib Collins. as James Nisbet & Co*s List. THE ** SUNSHINE" SERIES. Grown 8vo. 1$, 6d, lUuttrcUed. 1. A SUMMER IN THB LIFE OF TWO LITTLE CHILDREN. By Mrs. HowABD. 2. OLIVER'S OLD PICTURES. By Mri. Marshall. 8. LADY TEMPLE'S QRANDCHILDREN. By Miss Bvkbbtt- Grebn. 4. A LONDON BABT. The Story of King Boy. By L. T. Mbadb. 5. HIDDEN HOMES. By M. A. Padll Riflbt. 6. SIR VALENTINE'S VICTORY. By Mrs. Mabshall. 7. GERALD AND DOLLY. By D'Estbrbb. 8. STEPHEN, M.D. By Sdsan Wabnbr. 10. THE LETTER OF CREDIT. By SOSAN "Wajinbb. U. DAINTREE. By the Author of " Expelled," &o. 12. ST. MARTIN'S SUMMER. By Rosa Porter. 13. MRS. LESTER'S GIRLS. By th« Author of ^'Miss Marston'a Girls." 15. READY? AYE READY! By AaiTBS Gibebnb. 16. JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. By Mrs. Obaik. 17. THE OLDER BROTHER. By Pansy. 18. THE HOME AT GREYLOCK. By Mrs. Prentiss. 19. A VANISHED HAND. By Sarah Doudnky. 20. STEPPING HEAVENWARD. By Mrs. Prentiss. 21. RUBY AND PEARL. By Mrs. Marshall. 22. TIME TRIES. By Mrs. Marshall. 23. CISSY'S TROUBLES. By " Darlet Dale." 24. IN THE DAYS OF BRUCE. By Gbaob Agdilab. 25. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. By Charles Rbade. 26. THE PINK OF PERFECTION. By Mrs. Marshall. 27. THROUGH SHADOW TO SUNSHINE. By Mrs. HoBNiBROOK. 28. STELLAFONT ABBEY. By Mrs. Marshall. 29. BESSIE ON HER TRAVELS. By Joanna H. Mathews. 30. BESSIE AND HER FRIENDS. By Joanna H. Mathbws. 31. MAGGIE AND BESSIE. By Joanna H. Mathbws. 32. THREE UTTLE SPADES. By Anna B. Warnbb. 33. MORAG: A Tale of Highland Life. By Mrs. Milnb Bab. 34. THE STORY OF OUR ENGLISH BIBLE. By Mrs. Batlt. 35. LITTLE BRICKS. By "Darlet Dale." 30. BESSIE AT SCHOOL By Joanna H. Mathbws. 37. WHAT KATY DID. By Susan Coolidob. 38. BESSIE AT THE SEASIDE. By J. H. Mathbws. 39. BESSIE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. By J. H. Mathbws. 26 Books for Young Beaders. ,T. THE *'BERNERS" SERIES. Muttrated Crown 8vo, Is. 6d, 1. THE THRONE OF DAVID. By J. H. Inoraham. 2. A PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. By J. H. INOBAHAM. 8. THE PILLAR OF FIRE. By J. H. Inoraham. 4. DERRY. A Tale of the Revolution of 1688. 6. TOO LATE FOR THE TIDE-MILL. By E. A. Rand. 6. A DREAM OF THE NORTH SEA. By J. Runoimam. 7. WANDERING HOMES. By LnoT Nblson. 8. FRANK WEATHERALL. By W. 0. Metoalfb. 9. SHORT LIVES OF MEN WITH A MISSION 10. EXPELLED. By the Author of " Dorrincourt." u! BESSIE HARRINGTON'S VENTURE. By JuLiA Mathbws. 12. THE CHILDREN'S PILGRIMAGE. By L. T. Mbadb. 13. THE YOUNG MARC ONERS. By F. R. Qodlding. 14! THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. By OuvBB Goldsmith. 15. A CANDLE IN THE SEA. By E. A. Rand. 16. JOHN KNOX AND HIS TIMES. By Miss Warrbn. 17. 0. H. SPURGEON. The Story of hia Life. By Rev. J. Ellis. 18. SEVEN SONS. By "D ablet D ALB." 19. VINEGAR HILL. By Anna Warner. 20. CROSS CORNERS. By Anna Warnbr. 21. ONE LITTLE VEIN OF DROSS. By Rdth Lamb. 22. MISTRESS MATOHETT'S MISTAKE. By Mrs. Marshall. 23. BOXALL SCHOOL. By the Author of " Dorringcourt." 24 OLD CRUSTYS NIECE. By J. Jackson Wbat. 25. HONEST JOHN STALLIBRASS. By J. Jaokbon Wrat. 26. THE LIFE OF PRINCE CONSORT. By Rer. W. W. Tulloch. 27. DRAYTON HALL. By Julia Mathews. 28. HOLDBN WITH THE CORDS. By W. M. L. Jay. 29. NOBODY. By Susan Warnbb. 30. DARE TO DO RIGHT. By Julia Mathews. 81. MY DESIRE. By SusAN Warnbb. 27 James Nisbet A >Vo*$ List. THE STANDARD SERIES. 16mOt 1$. net ; 2s. net in leather. THE HISTORY OF HENRY ESMOND. By W. M. Thaokbbat. rVANHOE. By Sir Walter Soott. HYPATIA. By Charles Kinoslet. THE VIOAR OF WAKEFIELD. By Oliver Goldsmith. SARTOR RESARTUS. By THOMAS Carlylb. CRANFORD. By Mrs. Gaskell. THE BRIDE OF LASIMERMOOR. By Sir Walter Scott. THE PIRATE. By Sir Walter Soott. OLD MORTALITY. By Sir Walter Sooto. ROB ROY. By Sir Walter Soott. THE LADY OF THE LAKE. By Sir Walter Scott. THE SOARLET LETTER By Nathaniel Hawthorne, THE GOLDEN SILENCE SERIES. WUh lUustrationa. Small Crown 8vo. Attractively bound in cloth. U. each. 2. AUNT JANE'S HERO. By Mrs. PkentiSS. 3. MICHAEL'S TREASURES. By Mrs. Marshall. 5. BESSIE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. By Joanna H. Mathews. 7. MR. RUTHERFORD'S CHILDREN. By Susan Warner. 9. EFFIE'S FRIENDS ; or, Chronicles of the Woods and Shore. 10. MATTHEW FROST. By Mrs. Marshall. 11. MY LADY BOUNTIFUL. By Mrs. Marshall. 12. THREE PATHS IN LIFE. By E. Barleb. 18. ORAN. By E. A. B. D. li. THREE TIMES THREE. By Panst. 28 I. Bociktfor Young Readers. THE GOLDEN SILENCE SERIES-eontinued. 16. PAT'S INHEBITANOB. Bj Mr>. Marshall. 16. NATURE'S GENTLEMAN. By Mrs. Mabbhall. 17. THE BRIDE'S HOME. By Mrs. Marshall. 18. MILES MURCHISON. By Misa Gibbbni. 19. SOME COMMON INSECTS. By Emilt Dibdim. 20. FOOTSTEPS OP FORTUNE. By Eaui Stuabt. 22. THE STORY OF JOHN MARBECK. By Mrs. Marshall. 23. MY GRANDMOTHER'S PICTURES. By Mrs. Marshall. 24. HIGH AND LOWLY. By Ellkn L. Davis. 26. PETER PENGELLY ; or, True m the Clock. By Rer. J. Jaokbom "Wrat. 26. NELLIE GRAHAM. By Ella Stonb. 27. JACK HORNER THE SECOND. By Rev. J. Jaoksom Wrat. 28. A SUNBEAM'S INFLUENCE. By Lady Donbotob. 29. A BOY'S WILL. By Ellen Davis. 30. THREE LITTLE SISTERS. By Mrs. Marshall. 31. THREE LITTLE BROTHERS. By Mrs. Marshall. 32. THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING OF KARL KRINKEN, S. Warner. 33. WHEN I WAS YOUNG. By Mrs. Marshall. 34. GOLDEN SILENCE. By Mrs. Marshall. 35. LETTICB LAWSON'S LEGACY. By Mrs. Marshall. 36. SIR BENJAMIN'S BOUNTY. By Mrs. Marshall. 37. MASTER MARTIN. By Mrs. Marshall. 38. KITTEN PILGRIMS. By R. M. Ballanttnb. 39. GEOFFREY HALLAM; or, The Clerk of the Parish. Jackson Wrat. 40. "A SONG OF SIXPENCE" FOR THE BAIRNS. Jackson Wrat. 41. DAISY OF OLD MEADOW. By Aonbs Gibernk. 42. OLD UMBRELLAS. By Aqnks Gibkrnk. »9 By By J By J. Jama Nisbet & Co*t List SERIES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN AND GIRLS. Bt Db. miller, F. a. ATKINS, Rbv. J. REID HOWATT, amdOthbrs. TOUNG MEN AND OIRLS : Faults and Ideals. Bj Dr. J. R. MiLiBB, Author of "Making the Most of Life," "Glimpses through Life's Window," &c. &;o. Small orown 8yo. Is. Also sold separately, charmingly bound in leatherette, 6d. each. ASPIRATION AND AOHIEYEMENT. A Young Man's Message to Toung Men. By F. A. Atkinb. Small crown Bvo. Is. Dr. R. F. HoRTOM writes: " I have rarely road a more salutary book." LIFE WITH A PURPOSE. 7 <)v. J. Rbid Howatt. Small crown 8to. Is. MORAL MX7S0LE : And How to Use It. A Brotherly Ohat with Toung Men. By F. A. Atkins. With an Introduction by Rev. Thain Davidson, D.D. Small crown 8vo. Is. FAITH'S STRONG FOUNDATIONS. Howatt. Small crown 8vo. Is. By the Rev. J. Rud YOUTH'S IDEALS. By the Rev. J. Rbid Howatt. Small crown 8to. Is. FIRST BATTLES, AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM. By F. A. Atkins. Small crown Svo. Is. AFTER HOURS ; or, The Religion of our Leisure Time. By the Rer. J. Rbid Howatt. With Appendix on How tt Form a Library for Twenty Shillings. Small crown Svo. Is. HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE. By Dr. Cliffobd, M.A. ; Pro- fessor Elhslib, D.D. ; R. F. Horton, M.A. ; Rev. F. B. Mbtbb, B.A. ; Rev. C. H. Waller, M.A. ; Rev. H. 0. G. Modlb, M.A. ; Rev. 0. A. Bxrbt; Rev. J. W. Dawbom. Third Edition. Small crown 8vo. Is. AGNOSTIC FALLACIES. Small crown Svo. la. 30 • Books /or Young Beadert. THE "ROSE" SERIES. Attractively bound in neat eloth boa/rd$. Small erown 8vo. Illustrated. 9d. each. By Mrs. Glad- ByW. 1. DOLLY'S CHARGE. By Bbatbick Marbl klu 2. FRAMILODB HALL. By Mrs. Maubhall. 3. THE BOY GUARDIAN. By 0. E. BowKM. 4. OUR LADDIE. By Misa L. J. Tomlinbon. 6. HELEN; or, Temper and its Consequences. STONB. 6. THE CAPTAIN'S STORY ; or, The Disobedient Son. S. Mabtim. 7. MOUNTAIN MILL. By H. O. Coapb. 8. A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK. By Mrs. Marshall. 9. DAISY BRIGHT. By Mrs. Marshall. 10. SAM'S MISSION. By Bbatbiob Marshall. 11. MONA. By H. S. Stbbatfeild. J 2 PARSON'S GREEN. By G. Norway. 13. WIDOW WINPENNY'S WATCHWORD. By J. Jackson ^I^BAT. 14. THE MAN WITH THE KNAPSACK. By J. Jackson Wbat. 15. LOTTA'S LIFE MISTAKE. By Mrs. EvKUED POOLB. 16. VIOLET IN THE SHADE. By Mrs. Marshall. 17. CHINA AND ITS PEOPLE. By a Missionary's Wife. 18. SUNDAY OCCUPATIONS. By Mrs. Barclay. 19! GENTLEMAN JIM. By Mrs. E. Prentiss. 20. A ROSE WITHOUT THORNS. By Mrs. Marshall. 21. KATIE : A Daughter of the Kino. By M. A. Gilmorb. 22. PRIMROSE. By Mrs. Marshall. 23. FAN'S BROTHER. By Beatrice Marshall. 24 LIGHT ON THE LILY, 'ij Mrn. Marshall. 25. THE PRINCESSES OF PENRUTH. By Mart Debenham. JAMBS NISBBT & CO.. LTD., 21 BERNERS STREET. W. 31