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Entered, according to act of Confess, In the year 1850. R Y J. A. & U T. J A M E P , in tb Clerk's office of the District Court of th United States, for tho Dictriat of Oci Bancroft Library / "'6 ^ q LENI LE.OTI. CHAPTER I. TILL IK OREGON CITY THB SECRET UNDIVXJLGED A DILEMMA RES0/.VB TO MAKJ IT KNOWN A STROLL INTERRUPTION EVA MORTIMER BRIEF ACCOUNT OS THE MORTIMERS RESOLVE TO GO IN SEARCH OK MY FRIEXD. IT was the last day of May, in the year of our Lord 1843. Already the earth felt the genial air of summer, and looked as smiling as a gay maiden in her teens. The blade had covered the ground with a car pet of matchless green, amid which, their Sovely faces half concealed, bright flowers of a hundred varieties, peeped modestly forth to render the landscape enchanting, ifiving their sweet breath to a southern breeze that softly stole over them. The trees in every direction were in full fo liage, and already among them could be seen green bunches of embryo fruits. It was iu fact a delightful day, a delightful season of the year, and a delightful scene upon which I gazed, with feelings, alas ! that had more in them of sadness than jy- I was still in Oregon City ; but two months had flown since on the banks of the romantic Willamette I offered my hand, heart, and fortune to Lilian Huntly, and was accepted, only to find the nuptial day prolonged to an indefinite period the re turn of my friend and her brother. I did not describe rny feelings then to the read er ; but, as he or she must have imagined, the}'' were very paiful. I had deceived Lilian and her mother, J knew, in leading them to hope, even, for the return of Charles Huntly, and i felt stung to the very soul, as one guilty of a crime. Wlrnt was I to do ? Should I avow all to Lilian and make her wretched by destroying all hope of ever seeing Charles again ? or should I still let her remain in blissful ignorance of his fate, and look in vain to the future for the consummation of her ardent wishes ? It was a painful dilem ma. The first was the most open, upright, and straight- for ward manner of settling the matter, most undoubtedly ; and conscience and a first impulse urged me to it ; but then, a doubt in my own mind that he was really dead a faint, a very faint hope that he might sometime return to his friends a loathing to inflict a wound upon the affectionate heart I loved, which time alone could heal, perhaps cause needless suffering to one who had already suffered enough restrained me ; ane between a desire to do right, and a feai to do wrong, I did nothing but muse abstractedly, the result of which was, in my own mind, to take a day for thought, and then decide. But the next day found me in the same quandary, and the next, and the next. Thus days rolled on, one after another, and at the end of the month I was as un decided as ever ; and though daily basking in the smiles of Lilian, and listening to her artless words of musical sweetness, not LENI LEOTI; OP, even a hint had 1 tvei thrown out regard ing- what I knew of her brother. Often would she mention him, but always in a way to denote she scarcely had a doubt of seeing him the coming summer ; and the thought that she must be disappointed, ever tended to make me pad and melan choly. I had never objected to the indefi nite period fixed on fcr our wedding, for tl>e simple reason that, t.o object, was only to subject myself to an inquiry into the cause, arid this 1 feared. What was I to do ? The question came up night and day, at all times and in ail places, and troubled me sorely so much so, in fact, that I began to fear its effects upon my constitution. At last I resolved to tell her all, and for this purpose invited her one morning 1o our usual stroll on the banks of the Willa mette. The day was fine, and everything around beautiful. We took our way di rectly to the falls, and paused upon a bluff immediately over the rolling, sparkling waters. This bluff, which is the bank of the stream at Oregon City, varies from twenty to eighty feet in hight, and, run ning back, forms the level upon which the town was then just beginning to be laid out. The scene was charming, notwith standing it was in the wilderness. A beau tiful forest stretched away on either hand below us rolled the river, roaring over the falls and on the opposite side rose similar bluffs, and another pleasant forest. I: seemed a place fitted for the commun ion of lovers ; and here Lilian and I had whiled away our happiest hours. Here I had offered my hand to her here been accepted and of course the scene could not but recall pleasant associations. Hither then we strayed ; and as we paused above the bright river, Lilian exclaimed, with a look of joy : " 0, it will be so delightful when diaries joins us ! Do you know what I have de termined on, Frank ? " " Surely not," I answered. " Do you see that level yonder (point ing down the stream), which sets off so uleasantly below this, shaded by those tall old trees'? " " Ay, I see, Lilian." "Well, there I have planned having such pic-nic, on the day when when She paused, and blushed, and glanced timidly at me, as if expecting I would complete the sentence. I did not, for my mind was busy with sad thoughts. Now, thought I, is the time to ^11 her all. But how should I begin to pain herJ T *an uneasy, and felt miserable, and '.oubtloss looked as I felt, for the next momenr h6 added, in ^omc alarm ; " Why, Francis, what is the matter ? You look so pale ! Has anything hap pened ? " " Nothing new." "What then? You always look ?o pained when I allude to brother Charles ! Surely there must be some cause ! Have you kept any thing hidden from me ? Speak, Francis ! you left him well, did. you not?" and she grasped my arm, and looked earnestly in my face. "I did, Lilian." " Well, what then ? You must have no secrets from me now, you know." I must tell her, I thought, and there can never be a better time than this. " Lilian," I began, and my voice trem bled as I spoke : " Lilian, I " " What ho ! my lovers, are you here ? " shouted a merry voice. " I thought 1 should find you here ; " and the next mo ment we were joined by the gay, light- hearted Eva Mortimer. " In the name of humanity," she said, as she came bound ing up to us, " what makes you both look so pale ? Not making love again, I hope ; ' ; and she ended with a ringing laugh, which, however pleasant it might have sounded at another time, now jarred most discord antly with the feelings of both. " No, not exactly making love, Miss Mortimer," I answered, turning to her with a forced smile, and, if truth must be owned, rather rejoiced than otherwise that she had broken off what must have proved a painful interview. " Well," she rejoined, playfully, brush ing back her dark ringlets with one of the prettiest white, dimpled hands in the world mind I say one of the prettiest, reader, for of course I considered Lilian's equal, if not superior : " Well, I am glad to hear that, for I feared, from your sober looks, you were either getting into a lover's quarrel, or going over a nameless scene that was enacted here some weeks ago ; " ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. and she looked meaningly, first at Lilian, who colored deeply, and then *t me, who I fancied stood it like a philosopher. " Come," she added, in the same gay tone, " I have use for you both all day. We that is I, and my good mother, and yours, Lilian, and some others have decided on going to see a beautiful lake, which, we are told, ornaments a certain fern bluff tha; you see away yonder, some half mile back of this magnificent city. City in deed ! " she continued, with a curl of the lip. " Why, it might be stolen from the suburbs of Boston, or any other place of note, and never be missed. But mother would come in spite of me, and when she takes a notion in her head she must carry it out. She wishes herself back now, and I join her with all my heart ; but, heigh- ho ! I suppose I shall have to spend my days here, for I see no means of getting away. But I will tease her, though I am pledged to that and that will be some comfort, and save me dying of ennui, Oregon City ! L T mph ! I thought it would turn out to be woods before I came, and I told her so but she would not believe me. Come, Mr. Leighton, don't be standing there looking so sober ! nor you, my bon- nv Lilian. I am going to have vou alonof, ^ * and if I don't make you laugh, why, I will turn in and cry myself. Only to think of being here without a lover! It don't mat ter with you, Lilian, for you have got one ; but think of me, in pity do ! Nobody here but some thick-headed rustics that don't know how to make love. I wish your brother would come, Lilian I am dying to see him. He saved my life, you know, and so I am bound, by all the rules of no vels, to fall in love with him out of pure gratitude." " You will not need gratitude, I fancy," added I, with a sigh at the thought of him, " Should you ever be fortunate enough to see him ; for he is a noble fellow, and one I think to your liking." " Ah !" she replied, " you need not tell mr he is a noble fellow for none but such would have risked his life as he did for a s'ranger. I have been in love with him ever since I heard about it, though I had long ago given up all hope of ever seeing him." " And he will be ready, I will vouch for him. to reciprocate the tender feeling." " Do you think so?" she said, slightly blushing, and her eyes sparkling. " 0, that will be so romantic ! and I love ro mance dearly. I will have him down upon his knees at every frown, and will frown twenty times a day, just to have him down on his knees. Now that will be making love to some purpose, eh ? " and giving vent to a ringing laugh, she added, taking my arm : " Come, don't let us keep the good people waiting, or they may get of} the notion, and I would not miss ^eeing the lake for a costly ruby." My design of telling a sad tale was thus broken off, and, as I said before, I was not sorry for it. Arm in arm with the two, I returned to what was denominated the village, Eva the while chatting awaj gaily, flying from one thing to another, but ever adroitly returning to Charles Huntly, showing that he now occupied no small share of her thoughts. From the specimen given, it will be seen that Eva Mortimer was a very different being from Lilian Huntly ; and as she is destined to figure more conspicuously in these pages than the previous ones, I con sider the present a good opportunity to describe her. In person, Eva Mortimer was slightly above medium, with a form well devel oped, and a bust of rare beauty. Her complexion was clear and dark, though scarcely sufficient to entitle her to the. ap pellation of brunette. Her soft, hazel eyes, shaded by silken lashes, were verj expressive, and could look love languish- ingiy, or sparkle with the poetry of mirth, anger, or any of the passions of impulse. Her features were regular and very pre possessing, with a nose slightly acquiliue, and mouth and lips as tempting as one would care to look upon. Her disposition accorded with her looks. At heart she was open and generous, with a desire to please and be pleased, let fortune smile or frown. Her spirits were almost ever buoy ant, and it required a strong cause to de press them. Very different from some, she could not easily be brought to consider this bright earth as only a grave yard, and herself a mournful inhabitant, ever stalk ing among tombs. She uid not believe in storm, and cloud, and dreariness, so much as in an open sky, sunshine, cheerfulness 10 LEN1 LEO! I; OR, and joy. It would have required great lepth ot reasoning to convince her that God haa placed man here expressly to mope out his days in gloom and sorrow, either real or imaginary. She did not ihncy the dark side of the picture ; and full of the poetry of an ardent tempera ment, there was to her in the sunshine, the breeze, the leaf, the blade, the flower, the mount, the vale, the storm, and, in fact, in everything of nature, something to excite joy rather than sadness. What ever her fortune, she took care to make the best of it and not repine. She was lively 'even to gayety, and could rattle on for hours in a light, frolicsome strain, cal culated tc mislead such as look not below the mere surface ; but those who judged Eva Mortimer by this, judged wrongly ; for beneath was a heart as warm, as ear nest, as pure, as true, as ever beat in the breast of woman. This w r as the drift, the foam, that floated along on the strong cur rent of a noble mind. Had you seen and listened to her in her merry moods, you would have thought, perhaps, she had no mind above trifles, or beyond the mere present ; that she was vain and coquettish to a fault ; that she would take no delight in serious meditation ; and yet you could not easily have erred more in judgment. I have seen her alone, in the night, gazing at the stars for hours, when she thought no human eye beheld her. I have watched her musing over a flower, while leaf by 'leaf she dissected it, as if to lay bare its mysteries over the pebbles which she had gathered in some ramble over a leaf, a blade of grass, and, in fact, over what ever had chanced in her path in a way to show her possessed of mind, and that of the highest order. There were but few m her present lo cality who really knew Eva Mortimer, and none who seemed to appreciate her as did Lilian. In their short acquaintance, these two bright being-s had become friends; not the cold, unmeaning term of the world but friends sincere and true, and bound by a tie beyond the power of death itself to Kevt-r. Like the magnet and the needle had they come together, to be held by at tractions peculiar to themselves. To each other their hearts were ever open, and the joys and sorrows of the one, were the joys and sorrows of the other. They talked together, walked together, read together, (each had brought a few choice books,) sang together, and both ever seemed hap pier on all occasions for the other's 'pre sence. They were nearly of the same age, of different temperaments, and united like the different strings of a harp, to bring forth nothing but music. In short, they loved each other not with the eva nescent love of fiery passion, which burns and freezes alternately but with that deeper and truer love which springs from admiration of, and dependence on, in a measure, the qualities we do not possess ourselves. It was a holy love the love of two fair maidens just budding into womanhood. Am I getting tedious, reader presum ing too much upon your indulgence keep ing you too long from the more exciting part of my story ? Well, then, I will press forward ; .for much is to be said and done ere my task be finished. Of the early history of Eva Mortimer, ] at this time knew but little, and this I had gleaned from Lilian. Her mother, a wo man between forty and fifty years of age, was a native of England, of wealthy pa rentage, but not of noble birth. Some twenty-five years before the date of these events, she had clandestinely married a French exile, apparently without name 01 fortune, rather for tin? love of romance, and because she vas strongly opposed by her friends, than for any real affection which she felt toward the individual him self. This proceeding had so incensed hei parents, that they had cast her off; but unlike most parents in such cases, unwil ling she should suffe v too much, had offered her a life annuity above want, on condition she quitted the country immediately and returned to it no mo i- e. To this she had readily assented, and shortly after, with her husband, had embarked for America, and had finally settled a*. Quebec, in Can ada, where for several years they had continued to live togethrr. though not. it must be confessed, in the ir>os<, harmonious manner. Being rather hoftd-sfrong and self-willed, and withal possessed of an in dependence, Madame Mortimer Fought to have evervthing her own way, and h*d Dot scrupled occasionally to make her ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. II Feel he was her debtor for every lux- ary lie enjoyed. Of a proud spirit, and a temper somewhat irritable, he had not displayed any too much Christian hu mility, meekness and resignation, and many a bitter quarrel had been the con sequence. Time rolled on, and at the end of five years she had given birth to female twins. Both had been hoping for a male heir ; and consequently this event, instead of mend ing, had rather served to widen the breach. Quarrel succeeded quarrel, and as love was wanting to harmonize two opposing spirits, it was at last found necessary to separate. Two years had passed mean time, when one morning Mortimer came into the presence of his wife, with a letter in his hand, and abruptly announced his intention of leaving her. " As you like," returned Madame Mor timer, coolly. Mortimer turned and left her, nor had she ever beheld him since. The night following, the twin sister of Eva disap peared, and the most diligent inquiries, together with the offer of a large reward, had failed in restoring her to her anxious mother. The effect of this upon Madame Mortimer proved very severe for she loved both her children dearly and a ner vous fever was the result, which nearly cost her her life. Soon after this she received news of her father's death, and that, hav ing repented his rashness, he had left her a rich legacy, with permission to re turn to England. To England, therefore, she went, and there had remained, super intending the education of Eva, until a desire of travel had brought her once more to this country, whither she had come in company with her daughter and a wealthy American lady, whose acquaintance had been made across the water, and who subsequently introduced her into New- York society, simply as Madame Mortimer, without a word of explanation, this being at her own earnest request. Thus it was, as I have before mentioned, none who met her in society had been able to learn who jhe was or whence she came, and this had doubtless added to her popularity. This was all I had been able to gather frcm Lilian, and all, in fact, she knew ; and ibis had been picked up at different times, from ; remarks that had escaped the lips of Eva in her more communicative moods. In person, Madame Mortimer was large, with a full, handsome countenance, ex pressive black eyes, and a bearing digni fied and queen-like. At heart she was kind and affectionate ; and doubtless, had she been properly mated, would have made an exemplary wife. Her passions, when excited, were strong to violence, with a temper haughty and unyielding to an equal, but subdued and mild to an infe rior. She loved passionately, and hated madly. With her, as a general thing, there was no medium. She liked or dis liked, and carried both to extremes. She was a woman of strong mind, much given to thought and reflection, an acute ob server of everything around her, and just sufficiently eccentric to throw the freshness of originality over all she said or did. She would do what she thought was proper, without regard to the opinion of others, or what the world would say. She had resolved on a journey to Oregon, not for any particular purpose, but merely to carry out a whim, and see the country. She had done both, was dissatisfied with her present locality, and now designed returning to the States the first favorable opportunity. But to return from this digression. Of the fate of her brother, Lilian still remained, ignorant ; for after the interrup tion of Eva, I could never summon enough moral courage to again attempt the sad narration. As time rolled on, I becamr more and more depressed in spirits, ana more perplexed as to the course I should pursue. It was not impossible, I. began to reason, that Charles Huntly might be living; and the more I pondered on this, the more I was inclined to believe it the case. He had been lost mysteriously, in a part of the world notoriously infested with robbers and Indians. If captured by the former, there was no argument against the supposition that he had been plun dered and sold into slavery. If by the latter, might he not have been adopted by some tribe, and now be a prisoner ? In either case, was I not in duty bound to go in quest of him, and, if found, to rescue him from a horrible doom, either by ransom or force ? At all events, I said to myself, I can but fail, and HUM succeed. LENI LEOTI; OR, On leaving homo, I had supplied myself with a large amount of gold to meet all contingencies, and but little of this had been expended. I could, perhaps, engage :i party, for a reasonable sum, to accom pany me ; and this, after duly weighing all the circumstances, I had decided to at- hjmpt ou the morning 1 have chosen for the opening of this chapter. I would let Lilian and the others suppose I had gone home, and that I should probably return with Charles Huntly. Having settled the matter in my own mind, I resolved on immediate action, and for this purpose called Teddy aside to communicate my intention. " Teddy," I began, gravely, "did you love your former master ? " " Me masther ! " repeated the Irishman, with a look of curious inquiry, " and sure, of who is't ye're speaking, your honor ? " "Of Charles Huntly." "Did I love him, is't? Fakh, and does a snapping turtle love to bite, or a drunkard to drink, that ye ax me that now ? Love him ? Troth, and was he living, I'd go to the ind of the world and jump off jist to plase him, and so 1 would." " Maybe, Teddy, you can serve him more effectually than by a proceeding so dangerous." " Sarve him, is't ! Och, now, I'd be after knowing that same ! " < I've taken a fancy into my head that he is living." " Howly St. Pathrick ! ye don't say the likes! " exclaimed the Hibernian, hoiiiing up both hands in astonishment. " Ye're joking, sure, your honor?" "No, Teddy, I am serious as a judge. I have always had some faint doubts of his death, and now these doubts have grown strong enough to induce me to set off in search of him ;" and I proceeded to give my reasons. " Ah, sure," said Teddy, as I concluded, " This is a happy day for me mother's son, if nothing comes on't but parting wid wid " "But, Teddy, I had designed taking you along." " And sure, Misther Leigh ton, is'nt it gomcr 1 is wid ye, now ? D'ye think I'd nc- afther staving behind, like a spalpeen, and ye away afther Misiher Huntly, pace to his ashes, barring that lie's got no ashes at all, at all, but is raal flish and blood like your own bonny self, that's one of the kindest gintlemen as iver wore out shoe maker's iixings, and made the tailor blush wid modesty for the ixcillent fit ;f his coat?" "But you spoke of parting, Teddy ! " " Ah, troth, and ye a gallant yourself, your honor, and not sae it was a wee bit of a female parthingl'smintioning, jist ? " " Female parting ! I do not understand you." Here TedJy scratched his head, and looked not a little confused. . " Why, ye sae', your honor," he replied, hesitatingly, " ye sae the womens (Heaven bliss their darling sowls !) is all loveable crathurs, and it's mesilf that likes to maat 'em whereiver I^goes ; but somehow, your honor, a chap's like to be thinking of one, more in particular by mason of his nathur ; and that's the case wid mesilf now, and Molly Stubbs that lives yonder, barring that it's hardly living at all that she is in this wild counthry." The truth flashed upon me at once. One of the settlers, who had come here in Advance of my friends, had a large, buxom, rosy-cheeked daughter of eighteen, wl.o went by the euphonious appellation of Molly Stubbs sometimes, J3ig Molly-- and I now remembered having seen Teddy idling about the premises, though at tl time, without a suspicion of the real causa. " And so, Teddy, yo-u have been making love, eh ?" ' Divil a bit, your honor." "How? what?" " No ! ye sae it was all made to me han'd, and I've ounly been acting it out, jist." " Aha ! exactly. And so you think you can part with your belle ami, eh ? " "And sure, if it's Molly Stubbs you maan by that Lathin, it's mesilf that can say the farewell handsome, now." " Well, make your parting short, and then see to having the horses got ready, for in less than three hours we must be in our saddles." With this I turned away, and with slow steps, and a heart by no means the light est, sought the residence of Lilian to com municate the unpleasant intelligence, that in a few minutes we must part, perhaps to meet no more. A D VENTU RES- IN THE FAR WEST. 13 CHAPTER II. ISFORM MY B'KIENDS OF MV RESOLVE THEIR SURl'KISE DEPARTURE POSTI'OXEI) ONE DAY PREPARATIONS GENERAL LEAVE- TAKING TRYING INTERVIEW WITH LILIAN, A.ND FINAL ADIEU. As I neared the residence of Mrs. (luntly and Lilian, (which had also been mine for some months) for the purpose of bidding my friends another Ion/ adieu, I heard the merry voice and ringing laugh of Eva Mortimer. Another time this would have been music to my ears ; but now my spirits were greatly depressed, and I was not in a mood to appreciate it. The cabin it would scarcely bear a more exalted title seemed surrounded with an air of gloom. It was as good as any, bet ter than most, which formed the village of Oiegon City ; but yet, what a place to be the abode of those who had been used all their lives to the luxurious mansion of wealth ! and I could not avoid making a comparison between the condition of the tenants now, and when I had approached to bid them farewell some three years be fore nor of thinking with what Christian- like resignation they had borne, and still bore, their misfortunes. Their present dwelling was built of unhewn logs, whose crevices were iilled with clay, had a thatched roof, puncheon floors, and three apartments. One of these had been as signed to Teddy and myself, another to Lilian and her mother, and the third an 6wered the treble uses of parlor, sitting- room and kitchen. A few beds and bedding, a. table, one or two chairs, to gether with a few benches, and the most common househould utensils, comprised the principal furniture. And this was the abode of the lovely and once wealthy heiress, Lilian Huntly ! And she could seem contented here I What a happy epirit, to adapt itself to all circumstances to blend itself, if I may so express it, with every fortune ! Witli this reflection I crossed the thresh- told, arid beheld Lilian and Eva in gay com ersation, and Mrs. Huntly seated by the table, perusing a book. Both the young ladies turned to me as I entered, and- Eva at once exclaimed : " So, Mr. Francis, you have just come in time we have it all settled." " May I inquire what ? " returned I, gravely. " May you inquire what ? " she repeated. with a playful curl of the lip. " Did you ever see such a starch, ministerial look, Lilian ? as grave is lie as a sexton. Why, one, would suppose all his friends v/e.re dead, and he had come to invite us to the iuneral. Heigh-ho! if ever I get a lover, he shall wear no such look as that; if he do, it will be at the risk of having his hab combed and powdered, I assure you." " But I have reason fur looking grave," I replied. "Eh 1 what!" cried Eva, changing in stantly her whole expression and manner ; " Surely you have no bad news for us ? " and she approached and laid her hand upon my arm, with a troubled look, while Lilian sunk down upon a seat, as if she had some sad foreboding, and Mrs. Huntly turned her eyes upon me inquiringly. " Give yourselves no alarm," I hastened to reply. " I have only come to say, we must separate for a time." " Indeed ! " exclaimed Eva, looking se rious . "You have heard tidings of Charles ?" added Mrs. Huntly. I glanced at Lilian, but she said not a word, though all color had forsaken her features. " No, I have not heard from Charles/' I rejoined, in answer to Mrs. Huntly ; " but presume I shall ere I return." "Good hea\ens! then you are going far ? " cried Eva, in astonishment. " I contemplate making a journey to the east, and may meet Charles on the way, in which case I shall return at once- otherwise, I may be abse.nt the summer." " Why, Francis, what has made you re solve thus so suddenly ? " inquired Mrs. Huntly. " How are we to do without you ? I thought (she paused and glanced to ward Lilian, who had. turned her head aside and seemed deeply affected,) that -that you intended to pass the summer with us." "Cruel man," said Eva, in a whisper, 14 LENI L E T 1 , R , "how can you leave the sweetest being on earth ? 0, you men ! " And then she continued aloud: "I wish we. were all going with you. Can you not take us till along ? " " Why, I fear it would not be safe." "A* safe as it is here, I am certain. Surely we could not be more than killed if we went, and who knows but some of these Indians, that are in the habit of visiting our great city here, may take a notion we have lived long enough, and so murder us all, or marry us, which would be the same thing ! Bui whoever knew a gentleman gallant, enough to do what was asked of him? Ah! I see you don't even listen now your thoughts are all with somebody else and so i will retire. Let me know when it is over, as I wish to bid you adieu ;" and she darted out of the room. Mrs. Huntly was on the point of inter rogating me farther, but perceiving by a sign from Lilian that the latter wished to 6e"e me alone, she made some excuse, and went into an adjoining apartment. The moment she had disappeared, Lilian sprang up and flew into my arms. " Is this true, Francis ? " she exclaimed. "Are you really going to leave .us ? " " I fear I must for a time," I said, in a not very lirm voice. "A longtime then," sighed the fair girl ; " a long time, if you are going east. 0, Francis, I did not think we should part so soon ! What have you heard ? Some thing, surely for you have never intima ted this before and you would not deceive one -who loves you ! " This was said so touchingly, with such naivete, that for a time 1 only replied by pressing her more closely to my heart, and imprinting a kiss upon her ruby lips. "I cannot tell my Lilian everything," I at length made answer. "Suffice, that I have important reasons for going ; and sometime, God willing, you shall know all. My resolution to leave was formed to-day, and to-day we must part.'' " To-day ? " she gasped, and I felt her whole form quiver Tike a reed shaken by ehe wind. " 0, no ! not to-day, Francis ! that, would be too much too sudden ! You must not go to-day ! " " Why not, dearest '? I shall return one day sooner for it doubtless ; and it will 1* as hard to part to-morrow as to-day." " But it is so sudden so unexpected," she pleaded. " Delay till to-morrow, Francis ! " " Well, anything to please you," and I stamped the promise with the seal of love. " Be cheerful as vou can in my abtrrce, Lilian, and when 1 return with youi brother " "0, then you are >-oin<>- to find him ! ' she exclaimed, interrupting me. " Thar return will be jovml indeed ! Poo* Charles ! If you do not meet him on the way, most likely you v?iil in Boston. Cheer him all you can, Francis, and tell him v/fl are as happy as cux'unistances will allo* us to be." "Beg pardon, your honor," said the voice of Teddy at this moment, startling Lilian, like a frightened roe, from my arms. " Beg pardon for interrupting yeen but the baast ye buyed this while agressed mine warmly, and her voice trem bled as she spoke, " remember that to you and your friend my daughter owes her lile, and I a debt of gratitude that may never be canceled. If my prayers for your safe and happy return be of any avail, you have them. God bless you, sir ! and remember, that whatever may happen in this changing world, in me, while living, you have a warm friend ; and ( approaching and whispering in my car ) so has Lilian and her mother. While I have aught, they shall never want. Fare well, my friend, farewell but I hope only for a time." It may not surprise the reader, if I say the pressure of my fingers was none the less for this information, nor my heart any heavier, unless it was by the additional weight of tears of joy. Madame Mortimer stepped aside, and 1 turned to Eva. There was no merri ment in her look nothing light upon her tongue. " You have heard the words of mother," she said, impressively. " They are not meaningless. To you and your friend I am indebted for my life. My conversa tion at times may have seemed light and trifling ; but notwitstanding, Francis, I would have you believe, there is a heart beneath all that does not overlook the merits of its friends, nor feel lightly for their welfare. When you see your friend, tell him that he i? prayed for daily, by one who, though she never saw, can never cease, to remember him. Adieu ! and may God bear you safely through all peril ! " and she turned away, as if to hide a tear. "Francis," said Mrs. Huntly, striving to command her voice, which trembled not a little, as she held both my hands in hers : " Francis, it is hard very, very hard to part with you. But I suppose I must, and hope it is all for the best. I have had so much trouble within a few years have seen so many of those I once supposed my frier- ds forsake me that it realiy be comes grievous to part with any of the few I have tried and not found wanting. But go, Francis, and God protect you ! Should you be fortunate enough to meet with dear Charles (here her voice faltered to a pause, and she was forced to dash away the tears dunning her eyes), !ell tell him all. Break the matter gently, if he does not already know it and and comfort him the best way you can. My 16 LENI LEOTI; OR, love, my deepest, undying love to your parents and all my friends. There there I can say no more no more. Go, Francis, and God's blessing and mine attend you ! Good-by ! farewell ! " and shaking my hands warmly, with her head averted, she dropped them and disappear ed into another apartment, seemingly too much alfected to tarry longer in my presence. With a proper delicacy, for which I gave them ample credit, one after another departed, until I was left alone with Lilian. While these several partings were tak ing place, she had remained served, watch ing the whole proceedings, with what feelings, I leave lovers to judge. I now turned to her, and felt the grand trial was at hand, and my heart seemed in my very throat. Her sweet countenance was pale and death-like, her very lips were white, and her eyes full of tears. There was no shyness no trembling no apparent ex citement. She seemed, as her heavenly blue eyes fixed upon mine, rather a beau tiful figure, cut from the purest marble, cold and uiotionless, than a living, breath ing human being. But oh ! what thoughts, what agonies were reading that soul j rejoiced that she could weep, within, mastered only by a most pow- they ceased, and Lilian spoke. erful will ! With a step none of the firmest,. I approached and took a seat the being of your fhot ambition and love lay trustingly in your p.rms. It is a point in the life of each and all, who have expe rienced it (and to none other are thes? words addressed ), which can never be erased from the tablet of memory ; and though in after years we may affect to deride it as silly and sentimental, it will come -upon us in our reflective moments, like a warm sunshine suddenly bursting upon a late cold and gloomy landscape ; and insensibly, as it were, our spirits will be borne away, to live over again, though briefly, the happiest moments of our ex- is'enee. The man who has passed the prime and vigor of manhood without ever having felt this without this to look back to I pity ; for he has missed the purest enjoyment offered to mortal ; and his whole path of life must have been through a sterile desert, without one green blade or flower to relieve its barren aspect. For some moments the heart of Lilian beat rapidly against mine, and. her terra flowed hot and fast. I did not attemp'; to restrain the latter, for I knew they would relief to an overcharged soul, an I I At leu.i'tli brin; I will not detain you longer, d...-ar Francis. Between you and I who knim by her side, and laid my hand upon each other so well, words are idle and hers. iiBtixeanmer, or at least, unt'xpressive of :-er for your otfn j of her who lores t that she will count " Lilian," I said, in a scarcely articu- our feelings. Avoid dan late voice : " Lilian, the time has come j sake, and for the sak to to part." I you ; and do rot forge She did not reply in words she could i the days, the hours, ay, the minutes, of not ; but she sprang to her feet, her ivory j your absence." " I will not, dearest Lilian," I exclaim ed, straining her to my breast, and pressing my lips attain and again to hers. "I will arms encircled my neck, and her feel ings found vent in tears upon my heaving breast. Smile, if you will, reader you who have not forget what you have told me. 1 will ;e,d the romantic bounds of a first pure i not forget there lives an angel i win to make passed the romantic DQunos or a nrsi pui and holy passion, and become identified j happy my return, and God send my return with the cares and dross of a money-get- 1 may make her happy also ! Adieu, dear- ting, matter-of-fact, dollar-and-cent-life smile if you will, as your eye chances up on this simple passage, and curl your lip t-st take heart do not despond and Heaven grant our meeting may be soon ! There, God bless you ! and holy angels in proud disdain of what you now consider guard you ! " and taking a farewell s; foolish days of love-sick sentimentality ;j I gtnt!y seated her as before, and rushed but remember, withal, that in your long j from the cottage. career of painful experience, you can refer | Two fiery horses stood _ saddled and to nr p'-riod v.-hen you felt more happiness j bridled at. the door, pawing the earth more "nnduUenitod joy, than that w^en j impatiently. Everything wts ready for 9 ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 17 tt\rt ; and snatching the bridle of one from the hand of Teddy, I vaulted into the saddle. The next moment I was dashing away through the forest at a dangerous speed, but one that could scarcely keep pace with my thoughts. CHAPTER III. A RECKLESS RIDE LUDICROUS APPEARANCE OF TEDDY KILL A BUCK INDIANS FRIENDLY SIGNS CLOSE QUARTERS A TALK (JIVE THEM TOBACCO TREACHERY - DEATH OF THE TRAITOR PURSUE OUR COURSE. WITH the mind completely engrossed, the body often acts mechanically, or by instinct, and performs, without our knowl edge at the time, exactly what reason would have dictated ; and when some trifling circumstance recalls us to ourself, we arouse as from a dream, and are sur prised at what has been accomplished during our brief alienation. So was it with myself in the present instance. On, on I sped as if riding for life, my hand firmly upon the rein, guiding unerringly my high-mettled beast, and yet unconscious of anything external, with thoughts wild and painful rushing through my b--\in. How long or far I had rid den thus, I do not exactly know ; though miles now lay between me and Oregon iity ; nor how much longer I should have continued at thy same break-neck speed, hud my horse not stumbled and thus broken the monotony of a steady ride, by unseating and nearly throwing me ever his head. Recovering rny position, and reining my steed 'to a halt, I found him covered with foam, and very much blown from his late rua ; and that I was upon a narrow upland prairie, which stretched away before me for several miles, fringed on either hand, ul oo great distance, with a beautiful wood. " Where am 1 ! " was my first involun tary exclamation " how did I get here with a whole neck ? and where is Teddy ?" The last question found a more r eady answer than either of the preceding, in a shout from the veritable Teddy O'Lagher- ty himself. I looked behind and beheld him coming as if on a race with death for the last half hour of his existence. His appearance was not a little ludicrous. His body was bent forward at an angle of forty- five degrees, so as to allow him to grasp the mane of the beast, his only hope his feet having slipped from the stirrups which were dangling against the animal's flanks, and serving the purpose of spurs while his hat, for security, being held in his teeth, smothered the shouts he waa making to attract my attention. Add to this, that the horse had no guide but his own will, that at every spring Teddy bounced from the saddle to the imminent danger of his neck, and greatly to the aid of his digestive organs, and an idea of the discomfiture of the poor fellow may be formed, as his horse dashed up along side of mine, and came to a dead halt. It is said there is but one short step from the sublime to the ridiculous, and I certainly felt the force of the proverb on the present occasion. I had been half mad with distracting thoughts ; but every thing was now forgotten, and 1 burst forth in a roar of laughter, such as I am certain had never startled those solitudes before. "Be howly jabers ! " cried Teddy, re gaining an upright position, with a face the hue of a boiled lobster, " is ye mad now, ye divil beg pardon ! your honor I maan. Howly jabers ! what a ride ! Och ! I'm done for claan murlhered ihtirely all pumice from me toes upward, barring me body and head-piece, jist." "Why, Teddy," returned I, as soon aa I could get calm enough to command my voice, " what new feature of horsemanship is this you have adopted ? I am sure you would make. your fortune in any circus, with such a heroic display of your animal capacities." " Ah ! ye may laugh and be d plased to yees ; but it's me mother's own son as feels more as crying, so it is. Fortune, is it, ye mintioned ! Be howly St. Pat rick's birthday in the morning ! it's not mesilf that'ud do the likes agin for twinty on 'em. Och! I'm killed intirely alj barring the braathing, as lingers still." 18 LENI LEOTI; OR, "Well, well, Teddy, I trust you willi not have to repeat it," pursued I laughing. " But come where do you think we are ? " "Think, is it? Ye ask me to think? Sure, divil of a think I 'av in me now. I lift it all on the road, that was no road at all, but the worst traveled counthry I iver put eyes on. We may be among the Hin doo heathen, for all me knows conthra- \vise ; for not a blissed thing did I sac on the journey, but r-rocks, traas and stumps, and the divil knows what all, and thim a going so fast I's could'nt git time to say good-by to 'em." To the best of my judgment, we had come about five miles, in a direction due east. Far in the distance before me, I now beheld the lofty, snow crowned peak of Mount Hood ; and toward this, without farther delay, we bent our steps, at a pace strongly contrasting the speed which had borne us hither. "Why did you not call to me, when yo^ saw me riding at a rate so fearful ? " I inquired, as I rode along at a brisk trot. " Call, is it ? " replied Teddy. " Faith ! jist ax me lungs if I did'nt call, till me breath quit coming for the strain upon 'em." "And so you could net make me hear, eh?" " Make the dead hear ! Och ! I might as well 'av called to a graveyard, barring the looks of the thing. Was ye mad, your honor ? " " no, Teddy ; only a little excited at parting with my friends." "Ah ! thim same parthings is mighty har-r-d, now, so they is," rejoined Teddy, with a sigh. "So you can speak from experience, eh?" "Be me troth, can I, now ; and so can Molly Stubbs, the swaat crathur, that she is." " Did it break her heart, Teddy ? " " It's not asy for me to say, your honor; but it broke her gridiron, and the ounly one she had at that, poor dear ! " " Her gridiron ! " J. exclaimed, strug gling to repress my risible faculties, and Keep a grave face, for I saw Teddy was in sober earnest, and apparently totally un aware there was anything ludicrous in his remark. " How did it affir et the gridiron, Teddy ? " " Why, ye sac now, she was jist holding it betwaan her two fingers, and fixing foi a fry maybe, whin up I comes, and tap ping her under the chin, by raason of our ould acquaintance, I sez : " ' It's a blissed day I saw ye first, me darling.' " ' That it was, Misther O'Lagherty,' sez she. " 'I wish that first maating could last fo river,' sez I. " ' And so do I,' sez she. " ' But it wo'nt,' sez I ; and thin 1 sighed, and she axed me what was the leather. " ' Oh ! worra ! worra ! ' I sez ; ' it's about to part we is, Molly, dear.' " ' Ye do'nt say the likes,' sez she ; and thin down come the gridiron, as if the Ould Scratch was a riding it, smash tipon (he stone harth, and into my arms pitched Molly, wid a flood of tears that made me look wathery for a long occasion. "Now it's not what we did afterwards, I'm going to till at all, at all ; but whin we both come sensible, our eyes besavr the gridiron all broke, and not wort a ha' pence. Molly cried, she did, and I git her a month's wages to ase her conscience. Musha, now, but parthings is har-r-rd, they is." In this and like manner I managed to relieve my mind of many gloemy thoughts, which otherwise must have depressed it. I had parted the second time with Lilian, for a journey equally as full of peril as the first, and, if anything, of a more indefini!f character. I was going in search of mr lost friend, it is true ; but what littlr chance had I, I thought, when I came t look at it soberly, of finding him, even if alive. 1 might travel thousands on thou sands of miles be months, even years, or the search and yet be no nearer revealing his locality than when I set out. If liv ing, it was a mere chance we should eve; meet again ; nnd nothing, perhaps, but r kind Providence could bring us together As may be inferred, when I qnitted m* friends in Oregon City, I had no definite plan arranged ; and now that I was really on the journey, the question naturally arose as to what I should do, how fir,M to proceed, and where to begin. I bail resolved on engaging assistance, but wb ** ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WES 'I was this to be found ? For some time i \ puzzled my own brain with the matter, and then referred it to Teddy. Though brought up in an humble sphere of life, with very little education, Teddy j was nevertheless a keen, shrewd observer, j and of excellent judgment in matters \ coming within the range of his intellect j and experience ; and accordingly I relied much upon his advice. Having heard the case fully stated, with (he dignified gravity of a judge, and asked several pertinent questions, he replied, that our best course, in his humble opinion, was to continue our present route as far as Fort Hall, where we would be likely to augment our number to our satisfaction, and could then proceed in a southerly direction and be guided by succeeding events. As this tallied exactly with my own views, the plan was quickly adopted, and I rode forward with great mental relief, that I now had a fixed purpose, whether right or wrong. For several miles our course lay over the upland prairie I have mentioned, and then the ground changed and became more rolling, which in turn gave place to hills, sometimes sparsely and sometimes densely wooded, interspersed with rocks, gullies, and deep ravines, that greatly im peded our progress. We halted to noon in a little valley, through which, with a roaring sound over its rocky bed, dashed a bright stream of pure water, on whose banks grew rich, green grass, of such luxuriance as to satisfy the appetites of our animals in a very short time. While partaking of some plain food, of which we had a small store, we amused ourselves by overhauling our rifles, exam ining their priming, as well as our other weapons and ammunition, and seeing that everything was in proper condition to meet danger. Scarcely was this over, when in a whisper Teddy called my attention to a fine, fat buck, which was trotting along within rifle shot. Quick as thought] 1 drew up my piece and fired. The animal instantly bounded forward a short distance, reeled, and fell over upon its side. The next moment we were on our way U) examine the carcass, and take from it the most s>anable portions for our wants. We had scarcely proceeded twenty paces, when Teddy grasping my arm, exclaimed : "Injins, be jabers ! " And sure enough, just issuing from a clump of bushes on the opposite side of the valley, distant less than two hundred yards, wcrv six half-naked savages, armed, two of them with rifles or muskets, and the others with bow. a and arrows. As it was impossible to divine their intentions, only by their acts, and as they made straight toward us, I snatched Teddy's rifle from his hands, and ordering him to load mine a,s quick as possible, raised ft. to my shoulder, determined, should they prove hostile, to sell my life dearly, and die, if I must, with the satisfaction of hav ing done my duty in self-defence. Perceiving my movement, they came to a halt, and made me friendly signs, by ex tending their open hands and then placing them on their hearts. Dropping the muz zle of my rifle, I did the same, and then waited for them to come up, though, it must be confessed, with not the most faith imaginable in their amicable professions. However, I kept well on my guard, and by the time they had shortened the first- mentioned distance between us by a hun dred paces, Teddy coolly announced that two bullets were at their service, at any moment they might choose. Ere they joined us, I had made them out by their costume and paint, to belong to the Chinnook tribe, whose grounds lie due north of Oregon city, on the opposite side of the Columbia river. I had frequentlj seen more or less of them in the village; and had, in fact, purchased the horse, mentioned as being stolen, from one ol their tribe ; so that 1 now feared less a de sign upon my life than upon my property The party in question were all inferior beings, both in size and appearance; but one seemed superior to the others, and possessed of command. He approached me in advance of his companions, and held out his hand, which I accepted and shook in a friendly manner. He next proceeded to Teddy, and each in turn followed his example. When all had done, the chief addressed me in broken English: "Where you come ? " , "The village, yonder," I replied, point ing with my linger toward Oregon city. n E N 1 L E T I ; OR, "Where go?" "Away beyond the mountains;" and I pointed eastward. " Good muskee (musket) got?" I nodded in the affirmative. " Good hoss got ?" I nodded again. " Good present got, eh ? p^i Injin, eh? " " I have nothing but some tobacco I can Rpare," I answered, of which I still had a pretty good supply. "Ugh ! bacco good," rejoined the chief, with a smile. This was in my sack on my horse, and I was not sorry of an excuse to get to him without showing myself suspicious of my new acquaintances ; for I had noticed many a wistful glance cast in that direc tion, and I feared lest, presuming on our weakness, they might think proper to take our animals by a coup de main, and leave us. to make the best of \* Accordingly, I informed the savage where the article was, and that I must go alone and get it. " Why me no go ? " he asked. "Then your followers must stay -be hind." " Why dey no go ? " he inquired, a little angrily as I thought. " Because I shall not permit it," I re plied, decisively. "Ugh! we so you so," he rejoined, holding up tirst six and then two fingers, to indicate the number of each party. "We strong you weak, we go, eh ?" and he made a step forward. In an instant the muzzle of my rifle was pointed at his breast, and my finger on the trigger, a movement imitated by Teddy, who quickly covered another. "Another step, chief," I said, " and you are a dead man," " Back, ye div'ils ye dirthy blaggards ! d'ye hear the gintleman spaking to yees *3W ?" shouted Teddy. This peremptory decision had a salutary effect upon the white-livered knaves, who Instantly shrank cowering back, the chief at once exclaiming, in a deprecating lone : " No shoot. We no go. You go." Fearing treachery, we instantly started ' for our horses, keeping our faces to our foes, and our rifles leveled, prepared for the worst. Having secured a few plugs of ihe desiied article, we both mounted and retarned to the savages, among whom I made an immediate distribution. The chief thanked me, and said they would now go home. Accordingly, the whole party set off in one direction, and we in another, rifles in hand. We had scarcely gone twenty paces, when crack went a musket behind us, and a ball whizzed over my head. " The treacherous scoundrel ! " I ex claimed ; and wheeling my horse as I spoke, I beheld the whole six running and dodging for their lives. Singling out the villain that had fired at us, I drew up my rifle and pulled trigger. The next mo ment he lay howling in the dust, deserted by his cowardly friends, whose speed seemed greatly accelerated by this event. Teddy would have gone back for his scalp, but this 1 would not permit, both on account of its barbarity, and that by delay we might encounter another party. Setting spurs to our horses, therefore, we dashed rapidly away, leaving our game and foes behind us, and congratulating ourselves upon our providential escape. For the rest of the day our progress was by no means slow, though the travel ing at times most execrable. The sun was already throwing a long shade to the east ward, when, ascending a rough, stony O O * *> ridge, which we had been forced to do cir- cuuouslv, we beheld below us a beautiful plain of miles in length and breadth, along the eastern portion of which towered the lofty Cascade mountains, with the ever lasting snow-crowned Mount Hood rising grandly above all. till lost beyond the clouds, glittering like a pinnacie of bur nished silver in the rays of the sinking sun. It was a sublime and beautiful scene for the painter and poet; and fo many min utes I paused and gazed upon it with feel ings of reverence and awe for the great Author of a work so stupendous. A sim ilar feeling must have possessed Teddy, for he instantly crossed himself and re peated the pater-noster. Descending to the base of the hill, wu found a suitable place and encamped. Though greatly fatigued, 1 did not rest well ; and either my thoughts, or the dis mal howl of surrounding wolvs. or bear* combined with other circumstances, ktpl me awake most of the night. ADVElsrURES IN THE FAR WEST. CHAPTER IV. MOUNT HOOD AT THE CASCADES ARRIVE AT FORT WALLA-WALLA ENLIST A FRENCH VOYAGEUR FRENCH AND IRISH - A QUARREL A CHALLENGE A FIGHT FOES BECOME FRIENDS. EARLY the following morning we were on our feet, and having partaken a slight repast, we mounted and set off toward Mount Hood. The traveling was now good, being over a rolling prairie, which, as we neared this collossal erection of na ture, gradually became more and more level, so that our horses being refreshed and full of tire, our speed \vas all that could he desired even by the most impatient. Before noon we reached the base of Mount Hood ; and if I had thought it sub lime at a distance, I now fell, as it were, its sublimity in an awful degree. Up, up, up it ro.^e, until my eyes became strained to trace its glistening outline in the clear, blue ether. Its base surrounded with sand, dead trees, and broken rocks, which had accumulated there, perhaps, by the torrents of ages, as they rushed and roared down its jagged sides. For a considera ble distance above the plain, it was well Umbered ; then came a long stretch of green grass ; then a long barren spot ; and then commenced the snow and ice, which rose far beyond the ordinary hight of the clouds the whole combined, forming a spectacle of which the pen can convey no adequate idea. To the right and left stretched away the Cascades, which, stu pendous of themselves, seemed as mole- nills in compare with Mount Mood. Far to the south rose the lofty peak of Mount Jefferson, and as far to the north, on the other side of the Columbia, that of Mount St. Helens. Having gazed upon the scene to my sat isfaction. I turned my horse to the ri'^ht, and began my ascent up a valley, formed by the partial meeting of two hills, and down the very bed of which roared a sparkling streamlet. The farther I as cended the more wild the scene, the more precipitous- and dangerous the path. In fact, on three occasions we were obliged to dismount and lead our horses for a con siderable distance, and once our steps had to be retraced for half a mile, in order to pass around a frightful chasm. Near the summit of the ridge we came upon a fine spring, and an abundance of grass. Here we encamped for the night, during -wnich I slept soundly. The following day was cold and stormy, with sleet and snow. This may surprise the reader, who bears in mind that it was now June ; but snow-storms on the moun tains are not regulated altogether by the seasons, and are frequently known to oc cur in one part of the country, while in another, not ten miles distant, the heat may be excessive. As all are aware, the higher we ascend, the colder the atmos phere ; and on many high mountains in southern climes, there may be all kinds of temperatures from the torrid to the frigid from the valley of dates, tigs and oranges, to the peaks of never-melting ice and snow and this within the distance of five or ten miles. Ere we raised our camp, I shot a moun tain goat, being the tirst game we had killed since the buck of unfavorable mem ory. Of this we prepared our breakfast, and also put a few choice pieces in our " possibles," leaving the balance to the wolves, vliicli, in justice to the apprecia tion they sL'oweu thereof, I must say, was nothing but a pile of shining bones, ere we were fairly out of sight. I now con sulted an excellent map, which I had procured from one of the emigrants, and referring to my compass, laid my course a little north of east, so as to strike the Dalles of Columbia, and thus the most traveled route to and from Oregon City. The day, as I have said, being stormy, and our route lying over a wild, bleak country, served not a little to depress the spirits of both Teddy and myself. No thing of consequence occurred through the day to distract our thoughts from their gloomy channel, and but little was said by either. By riding hard, we gained th Dalles that night, and encamped on the banks of the Columbia. Eager to arrive at Fort Hall, we again pushed ahead on the succeeding day, and following up the Columbia, reached Fort Walla-Wall? on LEN1 LEOT1; OK, the third ft on. our quitting the Dalles, without any events worthy of particular note. This fortress, constructed on the plan of Fort Laramic, described in " Prairie Flower," I shall pass without notice, other than to say, it contained a small garrison of resolute and daring adventurers, or rather mountaineers and their squaw wives, who preferred passing their lives here in comparative ease, at good wages, to the privations and perils of trapping in the wilderness. Here I found a number of hardy fellows, who had lately " come in," preparing to Bet off again for the Blue Mountains some to hunt for game in the forests, and others to trap in the streams. Here were also several friendly Indians (friendly through fear of the whiles), the usual number of traders, peddlers, one or two land specu lators and fur company agents, and one French voyctyeur all more or less en gaged in drinking, trafficking, and, gam bling, the usual routine of a gathering of this kind. Thinking it possible to raise a party here, I made a proposition to several, but found all had prior engagements. I next made some inquiries concerning Black George, and learned, much to my satisfac tion, that he had been seen quite recently on the Blue Mountains, and that in all probability I should find him at Fort Bois, or Fort Hall, as he was then slowly taking his way eastward. " If you desire an excellent guide," said an agent to me, ' let me recommend to you Pierre Boreaux ; who, though some what eccentric at times, you will n'nd most faithful in the discharge of his duty. 1 have tried him, sir, and know." " Just what I desire, exactly," I replied. " Come, then," he said ; and taking me aside, he presented me to the individual in question, who was none other than the French voyuyeur previously mentioned. He AY as a small, dapper personage, very neat in his appearance, with a keen, rest less black eye. and a physiognomy more inclined to merriment than melancholy. Hh age war about forty, though he ever look pains t ( appear much younger. His penchant \va for the wild and daring ; and uever was " ) so well contented, as when engaged in some perilous enterprise. This taken in connection with his jovial ttiru of mind, may at first seem parodoxical ; but it must be remembered, that most persons incline less to their likes than theii opposiU's ; and that the humorist is the man who seldom smiles, while the man of gravest sayings may be literally a laughing philosopher. He was much addicted, too, to taking snuff, of which he always man aged to have a good stock on hand, so that his silver box and handkerchief were in requisition on almost all occasions. He spoke with great volubility, in broken Eng lish, generally interlarded with French, accompanied with all the peculiar shrugs and gesticulations of his countrymen. Hu was, in short, a serio-comical, singular being of whom I can convey no better idea than to let him speak and act for himself. "Ah, Monsieur," he said in reply to my salutation, taking a huge pinch 01 snuff the while and bowing very politely ; " ver moche happe make you acquaintones. Will you 'ave von tarn vot you call him happenese, eh ? to take von leetle I forget him so (putting his thumb and finger together, to indicate a pinch), avec moi, eh ? " " Thank you," I returned, " I never use the article in that shape." " Ver sorre hear him. Vous remem ber le grand Empcreur Napoleone, eh ? " " Ay." " Ah ! von plus great sheneral him. He take snoof, eh ? Veil, you speak now, you vot you call him bussiness, eh ? " " I wish to engage you," I replied, " to go on a journey fu'. 1 ^ pen], iu the capa city of a guide." " Ou allez-vous ? " " How ? " " Ah, pardonnez-moi ! I sav, vere you go?" " To Mexico, perhaps " " Oui, Monsieur. I shall be ver mochtr delight, I certainment assure yen. VCB you go, eh ? " "I leave here, en route for Fort Hall fci daylight to-morrow." Here the Frenchman took one or two hasty pinches of his favorite, and closing his box, said : ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 23 44 Yon Icetle absence, Monsieur. I sail ' tve von ver moche pleasure ; " and off he skipped, as gay as a. lark, to prepare him self for the journey. At daylight on the succeeding morning, the Frenchman was at his post, well mounted on a full blooded Indian pony, armed to the teeth, and really looking quite the warrior. Three minutes later we had all passed the gate and were speed ing away. This was the first meeting between Teddy and Pierre, and I soon became aware it was anything but a pleasant one, particularly, on the part of Teddy, who cast many a furtive glance upon the other, expressive of dislike. What this arose from whether from jealousy, national prejudice, or contempt for the inferior proportions of Pierre I was at a loss to determine. Never before had I seen an imosity to a fellow traveler so strongly de picted on the features of the faithful Teddy, it might be he fancied the Frenchman of equal grade with himself, and was jealous of his supplanting him in my favor, and this seemed the most probable of the three suggested causes. Pierre, however, showed no ill will to the Irishman, but merely returned his glances with a super- cillious look, as though he considered him his inferior. But he could not long re main silent ; and so, after riding on briskly for a short distance, he turned to Teddy, and with a mischievous twinkle in his small black eye, said, with much suavity : " Parlez vous Fran^ais ? " " Spake it in Inglish, ye spalpeen ! and thin agintleman can answer yees," replied Teddy, reddening with vexation. "If it's frog language ye's jabbering, sure it's not mesilf as wants to know what ye says, now." " Que voulez-vous, Monsieur ? " in quired the Frenchman, looking slyly at me with a significant shrug, and secretlv enjoying the discomfiture of Teddy. " Quack, quack, quack, kither hoben," rejoined Teddy, fiercely. " Sure, now, and b it that ye can understand yourself, ye tief ! It's maybe smart, now, ye's afther thinking yourself, by token ye can say things I don't know the maanihg of. And o ye is smart, barring the foolish part, which comprehinds the whole of yees. Troth ! can ye fight, Misther Fi ogeater ? Come, now, that's Inglish ; and by St. Pathrick's bones ! I'll wager ye're too cowardly to understand it." "Come, come, Teddy," I said, "you are getting personal. I can allcw no quarreling." " Och ! there's no danger, your hon or," returned Teddy, turning upon Pierre a withering look of contempt. " It's not inny frog-eater as is going to fight his betthers ; and sure it's not Teddy O'Lagh- erty as can fight alone, jist " Meantime there had been a quiet, half smile resting on the features of the French man, as though he was secretly enjoying a fine joke. Even the abusive language of the excited Irishman did not appear to disturb his equanimity in the least. There he sat, as cool and apparently as indiffer ent as if nothing derogatory to his fight ing propensities had been uttered, or at least understood by him. I was begin ning, in fact, to think the latter was the case, or else that Teddy was more than half right in calling him a coward, when I became struck with a peculiar expres sion, which suddenly swept over his bronzed features, and was superseded by the same quiet smile as we some times at noon-day see a cloud flit over a bright landscape, shading it for an instant only. Suddenly Pierre reined his pony close along side of Teddy, and in a very bland voice, as if begging a favor, said : "Monsieur, you sav someting 'bout fitrht, * J * & eh ? Sare, I sail 'ave le plus grande delight k . , O O to soot you with un vot you call him peestole, eh ? " "The divil ye will, now?" replied Teddy, with a comical look of surprise. "Sure, thin, an' it's mesilf that 'ud like to be doing the same by you, and ye was wort the powthcr it 'ud cost." " Sare," returned the Frenchman with dignity, " in my countre, ven gentilshom- mes go for kill, dey nevare count de cost. I soot you I cut you troat I sharge you noting." " Well, be jabers ! since ye've got your foul tongue into Inglish, and be to yees ! I'll do the same for your dirthy self," retorted Teddy ; " for it's not Teddy LE NI LEOTI; OR, O'Lagherty as '11 be behind aven a nager m liberalithies of that sort, now." " You are, both too liberal of your valor by half." I rejoined, laughing at what I thought would merely end in words. But I was soon convinced of my error ; for scarcely had the expression left my lips, when the Frenchman sprang from his pony, and striking his hand on his pistols, exclaimed : " Je 1'attaquerai : I vill 'ave at you, Monsieur, ven you do me von leetle hon- oor, sare." " It's not long you'll have to wait thin," cried Teddy ; and before I could interfere or in fact was fully aware of what was taking place he had dismounted and drawn a pistol. " Tin paces, ye blaggard ! " he cried ; " and may howly Mary be marciful to yees ! " " Hold ! " I shouted. " Rash men, what are you about? I forbid " Here 1 was interrupted by the reports of two pistols, followed by a stifled cry of pain from Pierre, who instantly dropped bis weapon, and placed his hand to his shoulder. The next, moment I was on my feet, and rushing to his assistance, ac companied by Teddy, whose features, in stead of anger, now exhibited a look of commiseration. " Are you hurt, Pierre ? " I inquired, as I gained his side. "Ver leetle scratch," replied the French man, taking away his hand covered with blood. I instantly tore away his garments, and ascertained that the ball of Teddy had passed quite through the fleshy part of his arm near the shoulder, but without break ing a bone or severing; an artery. " A lucky escape, Pierre," I said. He merely shrugged his shoulders, and coolly proceeded to take snuff, with an in difference that surprised me. When he had done, he turned to Teddy with : " Vill you 'ave von more vot you call him le plus grand satisfactione, -h?" " Sure, and it's mesilf as is not over par- thicular inny ways. If ye's satisfied, I'm contint or conthrawise, as plases ye moat." " Veil, then, suppose we shake hand, eh ? " rejoined Pierre. " I soot you you soot me. V ! 'ave both satisfactione, oh ? " and the next moment these two sin<>ulrij beings were pleasantly engaged in compli menting each other on his bravery. 0, curious human nature ! From that moment Pierre Boreaux and Teddy 0' Lagherty were sworn friends for life noi did 1 ever hear an angry word pass bo tween them afterward. CHAPTER V. PASS FORT BOIS THE HOT SPRINGS A CAP ITAL JOKE SUPERSTITION OF TEDDY "THE DIVIL'S TAE-POT " A NIGHT AT TACK STRATAGEM OF THE INDIANS FOILED BY PIE-KRE FOE PUT TO FLIGHT FOUK SCALPS A PACK OF WOLVES IN DANGEfl OF BEING DEVOURED A DISMAL NIGHT OF IT. PURSUING our course along the banl? of the Walla-Walla, we passed Dr. Whit man's station, and camped the following night in a romantic dell at the foot of 9 ridge adjoining the Grand Round. In th course of the evening we were visited bj several Indians, with whom we held t small traffic for provisions. For fear of evil consequences, we kept well on ouj guard, but they displayed no hostile in tentions. Pierre complained somewhat of his arm, which I had bandaged at the tim* as well as circumstances would permit I advised him to consult the Indians, whc are known to be great proficients in the healing art. He did so, and the result proved highly beneficial ; so much so that he was able to use it sooner than 1 expected. The next day we crossed the Grand Round, (a delightful valley of twenty miles in extent, watered by a pleasant stream,) also the Blue Mountains, and descended into the valley of the Snake River. Th< scenes we passed over were, many of them, wild, and some of them romantic, in the. extreme ; but as more important matters press me, I cannot pause to descrbe them ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. The Indians w ; now beheld on every side of us but the/ offered no violence. The third day from crossing- the Grand Round we reached Fort Bois, where we passed the night. The next morning we pursued our jour ney, having- learned, meantime, that Black George, for whom I made particular in quiries, had passed here a few days before, in company with two other trappers, on their way to Fort Hall. This was cheer ing news to me, and we pushed forward as fast as circumstances would permit, in the hope of overtaking him. About noon of the third day from leav ing Fort Bois, we came upon some half a dozen fine-looking- springs, when Teddy declared he must quench his thirst. As he descended from his horse, the Frenchman shrugged his shoulders and gave me a very significant wink. "What do you mean, Pierre?" I in quired, fully at a loss to comprehend what seemed to him a capital joke. " Paix ! le diaole ! " he exclaimed, lay ing his hand on my arm and pointing- to Teddy, who, having reached a spring, was just in the act of bending down to the water. " Monsieur sail see." " See ? " I repeated. " Oui, Monsieur." " What shall I see ? " " Och ! howly murther ! be St Pathrick ! jabcrs ! " cried Teddy at this moment, Bpringing to his feet and running toward is with all his ileetness, holding his tongue with one hand, and pressing the other upon nis forehead. " Och ! murther ! I'm dead mtirely bit ate up claan killed, I is ! " " What is the matter ? " I inquired, un able to comprehend the meaning of such strange actions, while Pierre leaned for ward on his saddle and held both hands upon his ribs, fairly screaming with laugh ter. " Mather, is't ? " rejoined Teddy. " Mu- sha ! but it's mather intirely. Me tongue's burnt out of mo, jist, barring about sax inches on't." "Burned, Teddy?" "Ay, burnt your honor that's the wor-r-rd, now. Sure, that's the divil's pool, and so it is and hell must be here abouts. Och ! but Pm in a hurry to lave tne spot betimes ;" and springing into his saddle he rode away, in spite of my calls to the contrary, as fast as his beast could carry him. " What is it, Pierre ? " I exclaimed ; but Pierre was too much convulsed to answer me , and dismounting, I approached the miraculous water myself. Now 1 understood the joke ; and to do myself justice, I must say I so far imitated the Frenchman, that I was unable to quit the spot for at least ten minutes. In his eager desire for a cool { refreshing draught, Teddy had plunged his face into, and gulped a mouthful of boiling water, from what are known as the Hot Springs. Of these there are some five or six, the water of which bubbles up clear and sparkling, and, all meeting, form a small stream, which rolls away with a pleasing murmur. No wonder Teddy, not understanding the phenomenon, and being superstitious too, should imagine Old Nick had something to do with it. " Veil, you see, eh ? " exclaimed Pierre, as I remounted. " By gar ! him von ver moche good joke. He tink him von dia- ble, eh ? " and he ended with another hearty laugh, in which I was forced to join- About three miles further on we over took Teddy, whose running ardor had cooled down to a quiet walk. " Ah, faith ! " said he, dolefully, "it's mighty feared I's beginning to git, that ye'd not come at all, at all." "Why so, Teddy?" V Oh, worra ! worra ! that I should iver live to taste the divil's pool ! And did ye sae him, body and bones, your honor? and how did he look, if it's all the same to yees, and he no forbid your tilling raa- sonably ? " "Why, Teddy, there was nothing to be alarmed at ; " and I proceeded to explain the mystery. " It's a very natural phe nomenon, I assure you." " Nath'ral, is it ? Och ! thin I have it, 'pon me sowl ! " " Have what ? " "Why sure, your honor, I sae claau through it." " Well, what do you see, Teddy ? " " Musha ! but it's the dn il's tae-pot." Tpa-nof. 9 Ould Sathan i Tea-pot ? Ah ! troth and it is. LENI LEOTI: OR, at the bottom of it, does ye mind ! He haats the wather there, now, to coax saints to dhrink tae wid him, the spalpeen ! and thin he'll make the most of fcm, d'ye sae, your honor ? Och ! it's a lucky man Ted dy O'Lagherty is for gitting oft' so asy, barring he's more unlucky by token he wint to the place at all, at all." It had become a fixed fact with Teddy, which all my jests and arguments failed to alter, that the Hot Springs and his Satanic majesty were indissolubly connected. But this did not lessen the joke, which for a long time afterward served Pierre and my self as a specitic for blue devils and ennui. As I said before, we were now traveling through a country thickly peopled with savages. What we had seen of these ap peared to be friendly ; but knowing the treacherous nature of many, we felt that self-preservation demanded we should at all times be on our guard. For this pur pose, our arms were always ready to our hands in the day time, and at night each took his turn of standing sentinel. Thus far we had escaped all difficulty; but Pierre often warned us not to be too sanguine of reaching Fort Hall without a brush of some kind, as he well knew the nature of those surrounding us. The sun was just oinking behind the Blue Mountains, when we came to a small stream a tributary of Snake River that took its devious course through a valley between two precipitous ridges, and thence through a canon of a thousand feet in depth. The valley was shaded by Iprge trees of various kinds, and was romantic in its appearance. It contained good gra zing also, and good water, and this made it a desirable camp-ground. Hoppling our horses and setting them free, we kin dled a fire, around which we squatted to cook our meat, smoke our pipes, and fill up the intervals with the most amusing subjects, among which Teddy and his " divil's tae-pot " came in for their full quota of mirthful comment. At length we began to grow drowsy, and having seen our animals tethered within the circle of the fire, and it being Pierre's turn to stand guard, Teddy and I threw ourselves upon the ground, our blankets rolled around us, and soon were fust asleep. For an hour or two everything passed off quietly, when Pierre awoke m with a gentle shake. " Ver sorre, Monsieur, to vot you rail him deesturb you. eh? but de tarn In- jen sacre le diable ! " "Well," said I, starting up, "what is it *? Are we attacked ? " and at the same time I awoke Teddy. " By gar ! " returned the Frenchman, "I see von leetle vot you call him- sneaker, eh ? Him creep creep creep and I tink 1 wake you, sare, and soot him, by tarn ! " "Faith, that's it!" cried Teddy, grasp ing his rifle and springing to his feet: " That's it, now ! Shoot the haathen ! " By this time I was fully aroused to the sense of danger ; and quickly learning from Pierre where he had seen the savage, I grasped my rifle and sprang beyond the fire-light, in an opposite direction, followed by my companions. We had not gained ten paces, when crack, crack, went some five or six muskets, the balls of which, whizzing over our heads, did not tend to lessen our speed. However, we reached the covert unharmed, and for the time considered ourselves safe. We turned to reconnoiter ; but not a sign of a living thing could we see save our horses, which stood with ears erect, trembling and snort ing, as if conscious of a hidden foe. For an hour we remained in this man ner, when, concluding the enemy had de parted, I proposed returning to the fire. " Hist ! " whispered Pierre, grasping my arm. "You sail see, Monsieur." And he was right ; for not ten minutes afterward, he -silently directed my atten tion to some dark objects lying flat upon the ground, which, with all my experience and penetration, I could not believe we-e savages, until I perceived them gradually near our horses. Then I became alarmed, lest, reaching them, they might specdrly mount and escape, leaving us to make the best of a perilous and toilsome journey OB foot. " What is to be done, Pierre ? I feai we are in a bad fix." "Je me couche je tire fur lui : I lie down, sare I soot at him. You sail see. Wait von leetle minneet. Ven you hears my cannon, den you soot and run at binr f& if diable." ADVENTURE? IN THE FAR WEST. Spying this, Pierre glided away as noiselessly as an Indian, and I saw no'hing more of -him for several minutes. Mean time, Teddy and I kept our eyes intently fixed upon our stealthy foes ; and our rifles in rest, ready to give them their deadly contents at a moment's warning. Slowly, like ti cat creeping upon her game, did these half naked Indians, serpent-like, steal toward our animals, every moment lessening the distance between them and the objects of their desires. I began to grow nervous. What had become of Pierre ! If he intended to do anything, now I thought was the time. A few mo ments and it would be too late ; and act ing upon this thought, I drew a bead upon the most advanced savage, and was about pulling the trigger, when the latter sud denly bounded to his feet, uttered a yell of delight, ;rnd sprang toward the now frightened animals, imitated in his ma neuver by some ten or twelve others. "Good Heaven! all is lost!" I ex claimed, bitterly. The words had scarcely passed my lips, when bang went a pistol from among the hordes ; and the foremost savage the one I had singled out, and who was on the point of grasping one of the tether ropes bounded into the air, with a horrible yell, and fell back a corpse. This was wholly unlocked for by his companions, and checked for an instant those pressing on behind. Remembering Pierre's re quest, I whispered Teddy to " throw " his man and charge. Both our rifles spoke together, and down tumbled two more. At the same moment Pierre's -rifle sent another to his account ; and simultaneously springing forward, all three of us made the utlkin ring with our shouts of joy and defiance. This was the grand coup de grace of the night. The Indians were alarmed and bewildered. They had counted on certain success in stealing our horses without the loss of a man. Four had fallen in as many seconds ; and fancy ing themselves in an ambuscade, they turned, with wild yells of affright, and disappeared in every direction ; so that by the time I had joined Pierre, we were jn asters of the Meld, and not an unwounded if*i in sight. ' You see hoss safe, Monsieur," said Pierre, hurriedly, as wt met ; " and 1 see to tarn Injen, eh !" and without wailing a reply, he darted forward, and the ne\t moment was engaged in tearing oil the bloody scalps of the slain. As every mountaineer considers this his prerogative, I did not interfere, but order ing Teddy to assist me, cut the lariats and led our horses back into the darkness, from fear of another attack, in which we might come out second best. In a few minutes Pierre approached me leisurely, and laugh ingly said : " Tout va bien : All pe veil, sare ; " and he held up to the light four bloody scalps. " Von, two, tree, not pe dead, I kill him. Good for vot you call him stealer, eh 1 ha, ha, ha ! " and taking out his box, he deliberately proceeded to take snuff with his bloody lingers, adding, by way of accompaniment: "Von tarn ver moche exsallant joke, him ha, ha, ha ! Sucre ! me tink him get von leetle tarn vot you call him astonishment, eh ? By gar ! ver moche good." As we did not consider it prudent to venture again within the tire-light, we de cided to remain where we were through the night, and guard against surprise. All was dark around us, except in the direc tion of the roaring fire, which, flickering to the passing breeze, made the scene of our late encampment look dismal enough. To add to its gloom and cheerlessness, we were presently greeted with the distant howl of a hungry pack of wolves. Every moment these howls grew louder, showing the animals were approaching the spot, while our horses snorted and became so restless we could scarcely hold them. Nearer and nearer came the hungry beasts of prey, till at length we could perceive their fiery eyeballs, and occasionally catch a glimpse of their bodies, as they hovered around the circle of the tire, fearing to ap proach the carcasses they so much coveted. For an hour or two they prowled and howled around us, "making night hideous with their orgies," while the tire gradually growing less and less bright, increased their boldness accordingly. At last one, unable longer to bear the keen pangs of hunger, leaped forward and buried his teeth and claws in the car cass of one of our late foes. The otheri 2S LENI LEOTI; OR. followed his example, and in less than a minu'e as many as fifty of these ravenous animals were growling, fighting, gnashing their teKh, and tearing the flesh from the bones of the dead Indians. Pierre now informed me we were in im minent danger of being attacked ourselves, as, having once tasted blood, and their appetites being rather sharpened than appeased, they would only become more bold in consequence. To my inquiry as to what should be done, he replied that we must continue to kill one of their number as fast as he might be devoured by his companions ; and setting the example, he shot one for :h with. hnire enough! no sooner had the beast fallen, than the rest sprang upon and devoured him. By that time my rifle was loaded, arid I knocked over another, which met the same fate. In this manner we kept firing alternately for a couple of hours, during which time the old stock was replenished by new comers, until I began to fancy all of the genus would be present before daylight. But at last one after another got satisfied, and slunk away licking his chops. No new ones appeared, and ere the stars grew dim, nothing was visible of the last night's butchery but a collection of clean-licked, shiny bones. "While the fire las,e;l, we could see to take sight; but after that went out, we tired at I'andom ; though, knowing the exact location of the beasts, our shots generally proved successful in ki'iing or wounding. When morning again put ;i smiling face upon the recent sable earth, we mounted our horses and quitted the loathsome spot, thanking God for our providential deliver ance. CHAPTER VI. AKIilVE AT FORT HALL KIND BLACK GEORGE ENLIST HIM WITH THREE OTHERS SOME NEWS OF PRAIRIE FLOWER A STORM UNDER WAY A TURBULENT STREAM DANOEROUS EXPERIMENT OF 1'IEKRE ALL SAFE AT LAST. IT was a warm, pleasant afternoon in June, that vie came in sight of Fort Hall, which we hailed win, thre^ .'.heers of de light ; and setting spurs to our horses, io less than haii' an iiour wt rode g.iiiy within the gates. A^ we entered the area, which, though much smaller, was fashioned like Fort Laran.ie, I perceived a small group of mountaineers or trappers, ;rmong whom were two or three Indians, all apparently engaged in some important traffic. The iiL-x, moment 1 hearu a well known voice exclaim : " it's done gone then, or I'm no snakes ; and heyar's what never backs for nobody and nothin." 'ihe next moment the speaker sauntered toward me, just as i had dismounted from my horse. As he approached, he looked me steadily in the face a moment, and then springing forward with hand extended and Hashing eyes, fairly shouted:' " Bosson for a thousand wild-cats I'll be dog-gone ef 'tain't ;" and eve the sen tence was concluded, my hand was suffer ing under the powerful but welcome pres sure of that Of Black George. "Well," he added, " I'll be teetolly rumriumuxed, ef I don't think you're a trump, and a ace o' diamonds at that. Whar d'ye come from now, and which way goin ? ef it's no! tallied on a private stick." "Direct from Oregon City," I answe. ed, by no means backward in displaying niy delight at meeting him again. " Whar's the gals V " " Left them ail behind me." " A ugh ! 'Spec, you left your heart thar too, eh ? " " Possibly." " I'd swear it. Well, hoss, don't blame ye. Them's about as nice human picters as ever this nigger seed. Been thirty year younger, might hev got into deep 'water thar myself, and lost the whole kit. How- some ver, this coon never tried treein a gal but once't and Suke Harris soon blowed damp weather on to his powder, and i* warn't no shoot no how augh ! Well, well," he added, with something like a sigh, " them's by-gones any how, and 'sped, it'a all for the best 'case I'm an ole dog, and lead a wanderin life ; and when I kind o' git rubbed out why, ye see. I haint got no pups nor nuthin to be a ba/kin ovei tn^ last roost." ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. Here Black George coughed a little, and turned aside bis head, when his eye chanc ed upon Teddy and Pierre, who, having dismounted at another part of the enclo sure, were now approaching to join me. " Why, hello, hoss ! how goes it ? " con tinued the old trapper, addressing the Irishman, and extending his hand. " And here's Pierre too, lookin as nateral 's a young cub ; and I'll be dog-gone of that same old smell-box aint jest whar it used to was, a reg'lar fortress, makin his fingers runners 'tween it and his nose. Augh ! gin us a chaw, and see the ginteel done." " Faith ! ye're the same ould chap," re joined Teddy, grasping one hand, while the Frenchman took the other. " Sure, an' it's good for sore eyes to sae the likes o' ye agin." "Ah ! Monsieur Blake Shorge," added Pierre, " it give me von ver moche le plus grande delight, for vot you call him discoverrnent you, eh ? Ver exceeding- tarn glad, by gar ! " As soon as the congratulations were over on all sides, Black George turned to nae with : "Well, Bosson, heara anything o' your pardner ? " "Nothing; and I am now on my way to hunt .him out, if among the living." " A long tramp, and no beaver, or I'm no prophet." " You think it impossible for me to find him, then ? " " Well, hoss. it's hard sayin what's im possible ; but I'd jest as soon think o' huntin for a singed tail beaver, I would, and odds on my side at that." Here I entered into an explanation of how he was lost, and wound up by asking ; " And now do you not think it possible he was taken prisoner ? " " Nothin agin it, as I knows on." "And if taken prisoner by the Mexi cans, is it not possible nay, more, is it uot probable he was sold into slavery ? " "Why," replied Black George, who seemed struck with this last suggestion, " I'll gin in it sort o' edges that way, that's a fact I'll be dog-gone ef it don't ! But 'spose it's all so how's you to diskiver him ? 'case it looks a heap mixed to this hild, to see it in the cl'arest light." " That is just what I wish to know my- 1 self, and for that purpose have started on the search being the least to my mind, I could do under the circumstances." " Then you're bound sothe'ard, 'spose? " " Exactly ; and desire you to join me, with three as good men as you can select." " Ah, yes ; but ye see, it's beaver time now, and " " I understand ; but I am willing to pay you as much as you could make in your regular vocation." " You is, hey ? Well, come, now, that's a sensible and fee] in speech, and you couldn't hev bettered the gist on't, ef you'd a splattered it over with all the big words as is English. I like a straight for'ard- toe-thfc-mark way o' dealin I'll be dog ged ef I don't ! and bein's I know you're a gentleman why, I'll jest tell ye I'm in, ef it takes all my hair to put her through. Besides, thar's a chance to raise hair, and that's a sport as this nigger al'ays had a nateral incline for. I've jest got in from the Blues, and made a sale of some hides so I'm ready to travel and tight jest when you speak it. Got any bacca ? " " Can you raise me three more of the same sort ? " " I reckon." " Do so ; and we will start, if possible, to-morrow rnornin." " Well, that'll jest save me a big spree augh ! I say, boys," he continued, drawing from the pocket of his hunting shirt a small canteen, " got the critter here and so 'spose we take an inside wet, eh ? Spect'twont hurt your feelings none ;" and he set an example which was very accu rately followed. " By-the-by, George," said I, " have you seen or heard anything of Prairie Flower, since that night when she appear ed, gave the alarm, and disappeared so mysteriously ? " "Jest what I's a-goin to ax you. No, I haint never sot eyes on her purty face sence ; but I hearn a trapper, as come from the sothe, say as he had seed hei down to Taos way, and all her Injins was along. She was axin him, now I come to remember, ef he'd heard o' a prisoner bein taken that-a-ways and sold to the mines." "Well, well, what did he repi} ? " ex claimed I, as a sudden thought struck in* LENI LEOTI; OR, " Thai he'd hearn o' several but, none in partikolur." "Heaven bless her! I understand it all ! " " All what?" inquired Black George. " "Why, when I sa^ Prairie Flower last, informed her of the fate of Charles Hunt- ly ; and ton to one she has set oft 1 ' to search for him ! " "That's it, for my old muley !" cried Black George, not a little excited. " I've said afore she was a angel, and heyar's a a possum what don't speak without know- in. Lord bless her ! I could love her ke darnation, jest for that. Ef she aint one on 'em, why was peraries made, hey? " A few minutes more were spent in like Conversation, when Black George parted from me to engage some companions for our journey. Bidding Teddy look to our horses, I entered the common reception room of the fort, greatly elated at the in telligence just received. Sweet Prairie Flower ! She was doubtless at that very moment engaged in an undertaking which shouKi have been performed by me long before ; and I could not but condemn my self, tbr what seemed either a great over sight or gross neglect of duty. And should Heaven favor her, and she discover my friend and set him free what a debt of gratitude Avould he owe her for saving him twice ! first from death, and secondly from a slavery worse than death. And should this happen, what Avould be the result to two beings, who, whatever might be out ward seemings, loved each other with a passion strong, and, on the part of Prairie Flower at least, imperishable ! Sweet, mysterious being ! I could hardly realize she was only mortal ; for there was some thing in her every look, thought, and deed, which spoke a divinity a something en nobled above mere frail humanity. In the course of an hour, Black George v rejoined me, bringing \vilh him three large- boned, robust, good-looking fellows, who, he informed me, were ready to follow me at a fair remuneration. In a few minutes everything was settled, when each depart ed to make preparations for an early start on the morrow. A storm, however, set in during the night, which raged with such violence the oext morning, that I was feign to defer my departure for twenty-four hours longer. To me the day wore tediously away; for my mind was continually harj'iny on my lost friend and Prairie Flower; and now that I had gained some intelligence of the latter, 1 could not. avoid connecting the two, in a way to raise my hopes in a great degree ; and consequently I was doubly anxious to be on the way. But if the delay proved tedious to me, not so was it with my companions, who had a jolly time of it over their cups and cards ; and drank and played, till it became a serious matter for them to distinguish an ace of trumps from a gill of whisky. However, the day went at last, as all days will, and I was gratified the second morning with a peep at old Sol, as he rose bright and glorious in the east. J hastened to rouse my companions- who w.re rather the worse for the previous day's indul gence, but who turned out as well as could be expected, all things considered and in a short time we were all mounted and in motion, .1 goodly company of seve.j. Shaping our course southward, a coup.o of hours brought us to Port Neuf river, which we found very turbulent from tLa late sto/rn, and in consequence very diffi cult to cross. After examining the banks for some distance, and finding no good ford we determined on swimming it. This was no easy undertaking; for the current ran very swift, and loudly roared, as its flashing but muddy waters dashed furiousjy against the rocks, which here and there reared their ugly heads, as if with a half- formed intention of damning and forcing it to another channel. "Monsieur," said Pierre to me as we stood hesitating what to do ; " you see tother bank, eh ? " I nodded assent. " Sacre ! by tarn ! now I tell you me like him. I sail 'ave von grande satisfao- tione of put my foot dere or I sail be von by gar ! vot you call him dead, wet homme, eh ? " A;> he spoke, he spurred his horse forward, and the next moment the liery animal was nobly contending with an element, which, in spite of his struggles, rapidly bore him down on its bosom, while his rider, as if to show his uttej ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST 31 for danger, sat erect on his back, coolly engaged in taking snuff. "H !" exclaimed Black George, with a grin. " ef thur aint that old sn:ell- box agin ! Ef ever he goes under, he'll do It with a sneeze. Augh ! " " Sure, and its throublesome he finds the wather now, I'm thinking," observed Teddy. " Good heavens ! he is indeed in diffi culty ! " I exclaimed. " Quick ! let us ride down the bank and be prepared to give him aid." And in fact our aid came none too soon ; for the stream had borne both rider and horse down to a narrow channel, where the water rushed furiously over the rocks, and being partially obstructed below, form ed an eddy or whirlpool of a very danger ous character, in which the beast was floundering and vainly striving to reach either bank. By this time Pierre had become aware of his danger, and was exerting his utmost skill to keep his seat, and guide his animal safely out of the fearful vortex. Just below him was a nar row canon, of considerable dep'h, and at its fanher termination a slight fall, where the water seethed and foamed with great vio lence, after which it became comparatively tranquil, as it spread out on a broad level, to again concentrate its greatest force at a point still below. As we reached the bank along side of the guide, we all dismounted, when Black George, leaping upon a steep rock overhanging the stream, instantly threw him a rope which he had selected for the purpose. Pierre caught one end of it eagerly, and fearing to remain longer where he was, instantly abandoned his horse and plunged into the water. The next minute we had drawn him ashore, though not entirely scatheless, as the whirling current had several times thump ed him against the rocks, and bruised his limbs and body in several places. Pierre, however, seemed to care more for his horse than himself; and no sooner had he found a safe footing on terra Jirma, than giving himself a shake, he cried, "Mine hoss, by gar ! " and darted away to the rescue of the unfortunate brute, which was now being hurried against his will through the canon. We all followed Pierre down the stream, but ere we gained the tranquil part of the river before spoktn of, the animal had passed safely over the falls, and, with a joyful whicker, was now fist swimming to the shore, where he was soon caught by his owner, who' exp r essed his joy in sundry shouts and singular antics ' Ah ! sacre ! " cried the Frenchman, as he remounted his gallant pony, shaking his hand with an air of defiance at the heedless river: "I sail 'ave von le plus satisfactione again try you tarn drowning ;" and no sooner said, than he spurred into the liquid element, and succeeded, after some difficulty, in gaining the opposite shore, an example we all safely imitated. We now struck one of the most north ern points of the Bear River Mountains ; and for the rest of the day pursued our course without accident, over steep ridges, through dangerous defiles, dense thickets, O O * deep gorges and ravines, passed yawning chasms, and all the concomitants of wild, mountain scenery. Sometimes we stood on a point which commanded an extensive view of a country of great beauty and grandeur where the soul could expand and revel amid the unchanged fastnesses of a thousand years and anon we were completely hidden from the sight of any thing but the interwoven shrubbery, through which we diligently labored our way. At last we came to a fine spring, around which grew a limited circle of excellent grass, presenting the appearance of a spot, which, at some remote period, had been cultivated. Here we encamped, built a tire, ate our suppers, and slept to the music of howling wolves. CHAPTER VII. BEAR RIVER MOUNTAINS BEAR RIVER TRAPPING REMARKS ON THE TRAITER8 A STAMPEDE ALARM FLIGHT MORH SCARED THAN HURT THE JOKE OX MI - STAND TREAT. IT is unnecessary to weary the reader with farther detail of mountain life. Unless in cases of extreme peri!, from savages oi LENI LEOTI; OR, wild boasts, the scenes are monotonous ; and eno-.igh I think has already been recorded to give a correct idea of life as it is, with all its dangers and hardships, beyond the boundaries of civilization. I may therefore be permitted to , press for ward annihilate time and space only pausing occasionally to give something new, or out of the regular routine of every day adventure. It was my intention fm leaving Fort Hall, to make the best of my way toward Taos a small Mexican village, much frequented by mountaineers, situated in the country of Texas, on the western side Of an arm of the Green Mountains, some fifty or sixty miles north of Santa Fe, and on a small tributary of the Rio Grande. This was to be my first destination, and where I was in hopes to gain some intel ligence of my friend, from the many ad- renturers there collected the traveling- representatives of all the territories as Well as Mexico. It was possible, too, I might fall in with Leni Leoti (which the reader will bear in mind is the Indian name of Prairie Flower), and her tribe, from whom I had sanguine expectations of gaining some information, either good or bad. If Prairie Flower had, as I inferred from what Black George imparted, actually been in search of Charles Huntly, I could at once gain the result and extent of her operations, and shape my own accordingly. With this view of the matter, as may readily be supposed, I felt no little anxiety to see her, and on no route, to my thinking, would 1 be more likely to find her, than on the one 1 had chosen and was now pursuing. M. iking the best of our way over the hills, we struck the Bear river on the third day from leaving Fort Hall. This river, which takes its rise in the: very heart of the mountain range to which it gives name, presents the curious phenomenon of a stream running adverse ways, and nearly parallel to itself, for a distance of from one. to two hundred miles. Beginning, as just stated, in the very center of the Bear River Mountains, it dashes away north ward on its devious course, for a hundred and tU'ty or two hundred miles, and then, encircling a high ridge with the bend of an ox how, runs southward nearly the same distance, enlarging with numerous tributaries-, and empties at last into th Great Salt Lake, within fifty or seventy- iive miles of its own head wateis. For merly this stream was much resorted to by trappers, who here found beaver very numerous, and mountain game in abun dance. , Beaver dams, in process of decay, may here and there be seen at the present day, and, at rare intervals, a thriving set tlement of the little fellows themselves ; but, as Black George remarked with a sigh of regret : "It aint what it used to was, no how." Soon after we had camped, Black George, who ever had an eye to business, started out in search of game, and soon returned with the intelligence that " beav it sign was about," an-d forthwith proceeded to get his traps, which he had brought along in his possibles. "What are you going to do?" 1 in quired. " Make 'em come, boss nothin short." As I had never witnessed the modus operandi of catching beaver, I expressed a desire to do so, which was responded to with : " Come on, Bosson, and I'll put y through." Taking our way to the river, which was here rather shallow, Black George led me down some two hundred yards, and then directed my attention to some small tracks made in the muddy bottom of the stream, along the margin of the water. "Them's the sign, d'ye see! and thar's fur about, sartin, or this nigger don't know 7 ' OO beaver." Saying this, the old mountaineer pro ceeded to set his traps, of which he had some live or six. Moistening a small stick in his "medicine," as he termed it an oily substance obtained from a gland of the beaver he fastened it to the trap, and then placed the latter in the " run " of the animal, just under the edge of the water, securing it to a sapling on the bank by a small cord. Another cord led off from the trap several feet, and was attached to u "floating stick" so called from its floating on the water by which append age the trapper, in case the beaver caught makes off with his property, is enabled to recover it. "And now," said I, ^heu he had done, 'ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST 33 " what inducement has the animal lo be come your victim ? " "Why ho gits to be my meat you mean ? " "Exactly." " Well, I'll jest explanify though may be I'll r.ot git it out as scientiferic nor some folks for's I said sometime ago, edication never come in this child's line. Ye see, it's jest this : beaver's like I've hearn say women-folks was. He's got an orful cur'osity, and it gits him into bad snaps without his intendin it. Ye see, he'll come along here arter a while, and bo'll smell that thar "medicine," and think maybe thar's another beaver about leastwise he'll want to know purty bad and so he'll come smellin round, and afore lie knows it, ' he's put his foot in't,' and is a gone beaver. A ugh ! " Having delivered himself of this, Black George coolly continued his operations, till all his traps were set, and then together we returned to our camp. On arriving, [ found that the beaver mania had taken possession of Black George's companions, who were in consequence absent with like sinister designs against the harmless little fellows. On returning with the old mountaineer n the morning, I soon discovered he had 'made a. raise," as he expressed it, "of three oid 'uns and a kitten. " The other trappers were somewhat successful also ; o that on that fatal night, no less than a iozen beaver lost their " run " forever. Before raising carnp, my mountain riends proceeded to skin the animals, scrape the inside of the pelts of fat and all superfluous matter, and then stretch them on hoops fur drying after which they were ready for packing. This latter s done by turning the fur inside, putting- several together and fastening them with cords, when they are tightly pressed into he possibles of the trapper, and thus con veyed on mules to the rendezvous-market, fcnaetimes one place and sometimes an other. The labor of the trapper is very severe, d his perils without number. Some times he traps on his own account alone, or with two or three associates and some times for a company In the first instance, uis cognomen is the " free trapper ; " in the last, the "hired hand." In either case, however, his hardships are the saroe, He sets off to the mountains, as soon as the spring rains are over, and there gener ally remains till the approaching storms of autumn drive him to winter quarters, where his time is spent in all kinds of dis sipation to which he is accessible. If he makes a fortune in the summer, he spends it in the winter, and returns to his vocation in the spring as poor as when he started the year previous ; and not unfrequently worse off; for if a "free trapper," ten to one but he sacrifices his animals in some drunken, gambling spree, and is forced to go out on credit, or as a "hired hand." He braves all kind of weather in his busi ness, and all kinds of danger, from the common accidents of the mountains, to his conflicts with wild beasts, and wilder and more ferocious savages. But he is a phil osopher, and does not mind trifles. So he escapes with a whole skin, or even with life, he looks upon his hardships, encoun ters and mishaps, only as so much literary stock, to be retailed out to his companions over a warm fire, a euchre deck, and a can of whisky. Seeking the best beaver regions, he scans carefully all the rivers, creeks, and rivulets in the vicinity for "beaver sign," regardless of danger. If he finds a tree across a stream, he gives it close attention, to ascertain whether it is there by acci dent, by human design, or whether it is thrown" by the animal of his search for the purpose of damming the water. If the first or second, he passes on; if the last, he begins his search for the " run of the critter." He carefully scrutinizes all the banks, and peers under them for beaver tracks." If he finds any, his next examination is to ascertain whether they are " old " or " fresh." If the latter, then his traps arc set forthwith, in the manner already shown. In his daily routine of business, he not unfrequently encounters terrible storms of rain or snow -the former sufficient to deluge him and raise rivulets to rivers and the latter to bury him, without almost uperhuman exertions, far from mortal eye, and there hold him to perish, "Unwept, imhonored, and unsung." These are the least of his dangers He 34 LEN1 LEOTI; OR is often attacked by wild boasts, when nothing but hi* presence of mind, his cool ness ;md good marksmanship, can extricate him from his difficulty : and yet he rarely fails to come off conqueror. Escaping these, he must be continually on his guard against his worst foe, the wily Indian ; so that he can never approach a. bush with the surety that a treacherous ball may not put a close to his mortal career, and all his hard earnings pass into the hands of an enemy he ever hates with the bitter ness of concentrated passion. With all these dangers, and hardships, and vicissi tudes, your bona fide trapper loves his calling, would not be content to follow any athcr, and is in general a rough, jolly, dare-devil sort of fellow, who not infre quently attains to the appointed age of man, and at last "goes under" with all the stoicism of a martyr, "With not a stone, and not a line, To tell lie e'er had been." Continuing our course, but in a more easterly direction, we at length quitted the mountains and descended to a large, beau tiful, rolling prairie, with little or no vege tation but short buffalo grass. Taking our v?ay over this, we had been about half a day out, and were beginning to lose sight of the lower ranges of hills, when we heard a deep rumbling, like heavy thunder or a distant earthquake, and our guide came to a sudden halt, exclaiming: "LeDiable!" " Howly jabers ! what is it, now ? " cried Teddy. " Hist ! " exclaimed Black George. " I'll be Qosr-srone ef I don't think we're chawed up this time, sure as sin ! " What is it ? " I echoed. "Von grande stampede, by gar!" answered Pierre. " Stampede of what, T pray ? " "Buffler," replied Black George, sen- tentiously. "Where are thev?" " Yonder they is now here a-ways they soon will be ; " and as he spoke, he pointed over the plain with his linger. Following the direction with my eyes, I behvld in the distance a cloud of dust, which rolled upward like a morning fog, through which, and in which, I could occasionally catch a glimpse of the huge animals, as they bounded forward railroad velocity. " What is to be done ? " 1 cried. " Grin and bear it," responded the old trapper. "But we shall be trodden to death See ! they are coming this way ! " " Can't die younger," was the cool rejoinder. " But can we not fly?" "Howly mother of Mary!" shouted Teddy, worked up to a keen pitch af excitement ; " it's fly we must, sure, as if the divil was afther us, barring that our flying must be did on baasts, as have no wings, now, but long legs, jist " " What for you run, eh ? " grinned tht Frenchman. " Him catche you, by gar I just so easy as you catche him, von leetle, tain vot you call him musquito, eh ! ' " It's no use o' showing them critters our backs," rejoined Black George. " Heyar's what don't turn back on nothin that's go* hair." " Well," continued I, " you may do as you please ; but as for myself, I have n*ught in a mean act, and I would have given no small sum to have had the joke on some one else. I detected many a quiet smile curling the lips of my companions, when they thought I did noc notice them, and I knew by this they were laughing in theii sleeves, as the saying is ; but, being in my service, did not care to irritate my feelings by a more open display. It was very gall ing to a sensitive person to know he has made himself ridiculous, and is a private subject of jest with his inferiors. It is no use for one under such circumstances to fret, and foam, and sho* temper. No ! such things only make the matter worse. The best way is to come out boldly, own to the joke, and join in the laugh. Acting upon this, I said : 36 LENT LEOTI; OR, " Friends, I nave made a fool of myself I am aware of it and you are at liberty to enjoy the joke to its full extent. But remember, you must not spread it ! and when we reach a station, consider me your debtor for a ' heavy wet,' all round." This proved a decided hit. All laughed freely at the time, and that was the last I heard of it, till I fulfilled my liquor pledge at Uintah Fort, when Black George ven tured the toast, " Buffler and a run," which was followed with roars of mirth at my expense, and there the matter ended. CHAPTER VIII A BEAUTIFUL VALLEY A "LEGEND THE OLD TRAPPER'S STOKV FATE OF BEN BOSE REFLECTIONS TEDDY'S ACCOUNT OF HIM SELF DEATH OF HIS PARENTS THE " OULD PRAAST " HIS FIRST LOVE THE WAT HE CAME TO LEAVE IRELAND ALARMING ONSET OF INPIAyS. PASSING Uintah Fort, which awakened many painful recollections of what had Dccurred since my former visit here in company with my lost friend, we took a southerly course, and crossing Green river, continued over an undulating, mountain ous country to Grand river, and thence to the most, northern range of the Green Mountains, where gush forth the head wa ters of the Arkansas and Rio Grande. Here we came to a beautiful valley, shut in by high hills, through which flowed a limpid stream, whose banks wore a velvet covering of rich green grass and innum erable wild flowers. A little back from - ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 37 " Ha, ha ! by gar sacre ! dat pe ver nice spoke vcr nice. You Kail make von raoclie grande vot you call him oratore, eh ! ' " But tell us what you know," said I, addressing the old trapper, whom I was anxious to draw out in one of his marvel ous tales. ' Well, boss, I'll gin ye the gist of a spree I once had here, ef Teddy'll agree to tell a story when I'm done." " What say you, Teddy ? " " Och, now, it's not me mother's child us was iver blist wid the gift of gab ; but to make the time slip off asy, I'll do me trying of it, rather thin lose that of Mis- ther Black George, barring that I'd lose jrhat I niver had, and that 'ud be lost .wice d'ye mind ! " " As how, Teddy ? " "Why, your honor, and sure wouldn't I loso the hearing the story towld, and the. story itsilf besides ? and troth, wouldn't Jiat be two ? and isn't two twice, now ? " " Very good for you ; but come, Black Gerrge, go on with the tale !" Here the old mountaineer took out his pipe, knocked out the ashes, put. some of ihc weed into his mouth, and after twist ing and turning himself into a comfortable position, thus began : ye here, I spect, as and the more's the a screamer, he was, He could eat more bnffler meat, drink more whisky, chaw more bacca, cuss louder and ttl! bigger lies, nor any white nigger this coon ever seed and that's a dog-gone fact. Maybe you think as how I exaggerrate ; but I ken jest prove all I've said and more too. Why, I've- seed Ben afore now, when hi.s meat bag war right smart empty, chaw up half a buflk-r, all wet down with about iwo gallon o' whisky, and then swear till all the trees round him 'ud git the ager, that ef he didn't git somethin to eat soon, lu;'d hev to go a woltin with starvation. Anl a ^ for lyin he could tell sich lies, could Ben, and swear to 'em so parlict, that though you knowed all the time they was lies, you'd sort o' b'lievw 'em, and wouldn't care to do nothin else ; for you'd kind o 7 say to* yourself, ef they ain't facts they ort to b<\ and that's the same thing. " Thar's none o kuowed Ben Bose; p'ty ; for Ben was ri' : 'ht out and out. Why Ben used to tell sich almighty lies and stick to 'em so long, that he'd git to believing 'em himself, he would and then t-e'd quit 'em ; for he war never know'd to tell anything as he suspicioned bein true ef he could help it. The only time this child ever hearn him tell a fact, was onc't in a joke, when he said he was the biggest liar on arth ; but he made up for that right purty, by swearin the next minuet he'd never told a lie in his life. "But whar am I gittin to? Well, ye see by this, that Ber was one of the boys, he was, and nothin else. Poor feller ! he went under at last like a sojer. He gin in the pint right out thar-a-ways, whar ye see the light shinin on that big tre' 1 .." "Ah ! then he died here?" "Well he did," said the old trappei with a sigh; "but he died game, and that's suthin. Ic's how he went out I'm goin to 'lighten ye ; but I'm goin to make the story short, for somehow these here old by-gones makes me feel watery like, and I never bad much incline for water, no how. Augh ! "Ben was purty much of a gentleman, any how, and me and him, when we'd meet, used to come together like two pieces o' wax, and stick to each other like darnation, ef not more. The last time I ever seed Ben, I got on his "run" jest back here a few mile. He was jest makiu his tracks out from Taos, and this coon war jest crossin over from Bent's Fort. Me and him had two muleys apiece, and was both goin out alone, and happened to meet jest whur two trails jine. "'How is ye?' sez he, 'and whar bound ? ' "Why I'm some,' I \ez back agin, ' and out for a venter.' " Jest from Bent's ? ' " ' No whar else, boss.' " ' I'm from Taos. Let's splice and double the game. Augh 1 ' " So we jined in, and went talkin 'bout this thing and that, and tryin which could outlie tother, till we got to this here valley and camped. " ' What d'ye think o' this place, any how ? 'sez he. " ' I reckon it's a few,' sez I. " D'ye ever see anv ghosts hero ? ' set he. LLN1 LEOTI; OR, ' Nei 2r, hoss.' " ' I hev,' sez he ' I was cam pin here- one night, and'd just got ready to blind my daylights, when I happ'd to cast one over thar to t.iat old castle, and may I be sot down for a liar, ef 1 didn't see a live- ghost standin right on that big pile, all dressed in white, and lookin orful serious right at me. At fust I tried to think it a opterkal collusion,' sez he; 'but then I knowed right off that ef I didn't see that 1 didn't see nothin ; and ef I didn't see nothin. what in did I see? Well, arter squintin at it,' he sez, 'till my eye- kivers got so heavy I had to put splinters under 'em to prop 'em up, I riz up on to my travelin pins, and sot out on a explore, to see ef 'twas the ghost of a white man or nigger. On that,' sea he, ' the ghost got miffed, and makiri jest one step, stood right plum beside me.' " ' Ben Bose,' sez the ghost, ' I want you. ' " ' And so does the devil,' sez Ben. " ' Well, I'm him,' sez the ghost ; and at that Ben sez the thing jest turned black in the face, and looked oriul skeerful. " ' Hadn't you better wait till I git rea dy ? ' axed Ben. " ' No,' sea the- old chap, ' I want you now ; ' and at that Ben sez he took hold on him, and his fingers felt hot as burnt piteh. " Well,' sez Ben, ' I jest clinched in to him, and sich a tussle you never seed. Fust me and then Brimstone, and then Brim stone- and me, for two mortal hours. But, by hokey ! I licked,' sez Ben, ' and the felle-r mosied with a Hea'n his ear, nnd his tail hangin down like a licked puppy's.' "Now, boys," continued Black George. " as I've said afore, Ben was the all-fired- cst liar on earth, or else I might a b'lieved BUthin o* this ; for he hadn't but jest done Kpinnin it, when bang, bang, bang whizz, whizz, whix.z yeah up ! yeaho ! whirp ! come ringin in our ears, as ef the arth was all alive with shoolin niggers and that's a scripter', dog-gone fact, as I'm a gen tleman ! ( Somebody gin me a chaw. Thankee! Old by-gones starts the juice uugh ! ) ' ' the infarnals !' sez Ben, jumpin up *nd showin blood on his noddle. ' I'm meat, sartiu. But I'll her company along, ' sez he ; and he ups and away, and thro wed the nigh one, as \rbs comin up, right purty. " Two on 'em, ' sez I, ' for a pint* ' au i old Sweet-love gin the second one th belly-ache, instanter. " ' Now let's dodge,' sez Ben, ' and keep our hair ; ' and with that he grabbed hold o' me, and both on us put out for the hilla " But Ben 'ud got a settler, and felt top heavy. He travel'd 'bout fifty yard, with my arm in his'n, and five yellin devila close behind us, and then he pitched oh to me, and said he'd got to quit, and axed mi to lift his hair* and keep it from the cussed niggers. I hated to do it likr darnation but thar wasn't, no help. Ef I didn't the skunks would ; and so I outs with my butcher, and off come his scalp afore yeu could say beans. " ' Thankee,' sez Ben. ' Good-by, old hoss, and put out, or you'll lose two en 'em. ' " I knowed he war right, and though 1 hated to quit, I seed thar was no help, ard I started for the old castle yonder, fodder/n Sweet-love as I went. I hadn't got fur, when 1 knowed by the yell the rascals li,d come up to him. They 'spected to make a raise thar, and two stopped for his fur, and the rest followed me. Ben was cunnin though, and they didn't never tell what happ'd them fellers didn't I'll be dog gone ef they did ! Ben kind o' playoj possum, and they thought he was gom under, and so while they was toolin tlui time, Ben had his eye skinned, burnt hip pups'j powder, and th rowed both on 'em cold right han'some, and then turned over and kicked the bucket himself. I managed to plug another jest about then, and tin- other two scamps sot oft, instanter, for * more sal-u-bri-ous climat- they did and ef you'd only seed 'em streak it, you'd H thought lightnin warn't no whar. Why, jest to tell the clean truth, I'll be doggone ef they didn't travel so fast, that a strrak o' fire followed 'em, and the animals as had been snoozin on thar way, waked ap and looked out, and concluded the arto was burnin most conscrimptiously, and so they put out arter them same 9yin nigger*. Fact, by Judas ! and ef you don't b'licv* Take his calp. - PUtote. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. t, you kcu jest bile me for a persimmon ud no questions axed." " 0, of course," said I, as Black George paused and looked around triumphantly, " we all believe it, and 1 should like to see the man that would not." " Faith, now," chimed in Teddy, tipping me the wink, " the man that wouldn't be- lave all that asy, wouldn't belave that the moon's made o' graan chaase, nor that Metooselah ( blissings on his name of scripter mimory ! ) was twice as big as a maating house. " " Ha, ha ! ver fine," chimed in the Frenchman, rubbing his hands and giving a peculiar shrug. "lam ver moche de light. I sail pelieve him till I pe von vot vou call him gray beard, eh !" The other mountaineers laughed, winked at one another, but made no reply, and Black George resumed, with all the gravity of a p-irson : " Well, sence you b'lieve it, I don't see r j use as I'll hev to prove it and that's Euthin gained," he added, sctto voce. " Well, when I seed the field was clear, I jest mosied back to Ben, to see how he'd eome out, for then I didn't know. I shuf fled up to him, and thar I seed the varmint lyin by his side, clean meat and nothin else, and Ben Bose as dead nor a biled kitten. ings. The story in the main I believed to b " I think so, Monsieur. Cut him oft so, von two, tree feets, and den him be von ver exsallent good, eh ! Je le crois." "Will, ye sae, thin gintlcmen," resum ed Teddy, " to begin at the beginning, as Farther Murphy used to say whin he wint to carve a chicken tail foremost, 1 was born in ould Ireland,, not a tousand miles from Cor-r-k, ayther ways. Me father pace to his ashes ! barring I niver saan the proof he was me father, and there was dispute about it was a gintleman laborer, as had plenty to do all his life and little to ate. He loved whisky, the ould chap spaking riverintly and one day he took it into his head to die, by token as he said there wasn't air enough for ivery body to brathe, and he'd jist sacrifice himself a marthyr for the good of others. Will, me mother Heaven rist her sowl ! she became a widder in coorse, and took on mighty bad about her Saint Dennis, as she called me dead father though it's little of a saint as she thought him whin living and so to drown her sorrow she took to the bothel too, and soon afther died spaach- loss, calling for wather, wather, the ounly time I had iver heerd her mintion it, and by token of that I knowed she was uncanny. "Will, gintlemen, ye sae, by raason of both my parents dying, I was lift a hilp- less infant orphan of fourteen, widout futh jr or mother, or a shilling in me pocket, or a divil of a pocket in me coat, barring that it wasn't a coat at all, at all ounly rags sowed thegither, jist. Me father's and mother's estate comprehinded ounly a bed, some pots and kithles, two broken stools, and a table, as had it's legs cut off for kindlingv. r aod. So, ye sae, that was OOB sittled, and thin I was lift a poor, houseless wanderer, widout a place to go I to, or a relation in the wide wor-r-ld, bar- 1 ring three brothers as was away, an uncle, I two aunts, and about a dozen cousins, all J poorer nor mesilf. Will, I took to crying 1 for a living, and a mighty nice time 1 had \ on't, till one day Father Murphy comc'd along- blis.sings on his name, the oiild ; spalpeen ! and axed me would* I like : ] come and live wid him. ' Faith ! maybe it wasn't long saying ] yis I was ; and so the ould praast took me home wid him, and said if I'd work right har-r-d, and a good boy, I should live as will as his pigs which was mighty will. he said, for they got fat on't ; and so did I, barring that all the flish as crept on me bones over the night, was worked oft' o' me through the day ; howiver, it's bether nor starving to dea;h, I sez to mesilf, barring it's not much choice I sees in it, and one'a jisfc as asy as the totlier, and a good bil asier. " Now's you're afther having a short story, I'll skip over four years, and till ye what turned up thin, by way of variety. " The praast, Father Murphy, ye sae, had a beautiful niece, as was jist my age, barring that she was a couple o' years younger. Now ye must know I iver had a fondness for the female sex, and I kind o' took to liking Kathleen by raason of natheral instinct. And Kathleen, the darling! she sort o' took to liking me be times, more by token I was a dacent body, and she hadn't inny one bether to like : and so betwaan us, we both though! of each other waking, and dramed about 'em in our slaap. Now divil a word did the praast know of it, at all, and that was all the bether for the pair of us. " At last I got to making love to her, and tilling her she was too swaat a being to be living all alone by hersilf jist, and that if her poor parints should be taken away like mine was and she become a poor orphan like mesilf, what would she be afther doing for a protector, and all thim things. She cried, she did, and she sez; " ' Teddy,' sez she, ' what would becom o' me ? ' " ' It's not knowing,' I sez, ' and it's a mighty har-r-d thing to go by guess work on sich occasions,' " At that she .cried the more, by token ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 41 inr innei faalings was touched, and axed ne would I conthrive a way to git her out her troubles. ' ' Ah, faith,' sez I, all of a sudden, ' I lave it now ! ' " ' What is, Teddy, dear ! ' sez she. " ' Och ! come to your Teddy's arms, md he'll be father, and mother, and actuals and drink to yees, my own swaat Kathleen ! ' I sez." "Aha ! " interrupted the excited French - nan, " dat vas von ver nice bon, exsallent coup de grace, eh! Certainment, je le crois." "Ah, the darling!" pursued Teddy 'blissing on her sowl, be it where it will, and pace to her ashes, if she's dead, which I'm not knowing, and hoping conthrawise she fill right into me arms, and com- ninced crying jist like wather dripping through a seive. And thin, ye sae, I cried too, more by token o' saaing her cry, nor that I felt bad like at all, jist. Will, I wiped me eyes wid me sleeve, and had jist segun to say comfortable things to her, whin who should happen along but the ould chap of a praast, her uncle ! " ' Och, ye spalpeen ! and what is it 're at there, ye villain ? ' sez he. " At this, Kathleen let an awful scraam, and rin for the house, laving me alone to 3 ght the ould tiger-cat as best I could. I 51t mighty small jist then, ye'd bether belave. and wished wid all my heart an arthquake would open and swaller the pair of us. I saan the praast was in a dangerous timper, and I knowed something was com ing, asy as squaaling to a pig. But I'll not provoke his riverince, I sez to mesilf, or he'll jist murther me outright, widout judge or jury. " ' Who are ye,' sez he coming up and taking me by the collar of me coat, bar ring that me coat had no collar, and I stood in me shirt sleeve^, jist." ' Who are ye ? ' sez he ; and thin he shook me till me teeth rattled. "'I'm Teddy O'Lagherty, your river- race,' sez I. " ' Ye're a Daastly dog ! ' sez he. " ' Troth, and so was me father before me, 'sez I, ' and hisn before that,' for I wanted to plase him. " ' Ye're a blaggard ! ' sez he. 41 ' Thai comes by nather,' sez 1. "'Ye're a scoundrel! a villian a maan, contimptible spalpeen ! ' sez he. " ' Sure, and that comes by associations,' sez I. " At this Father Murphy got as red in the face as a baat, and 'pon me sow) I thought he would swaller me widout cook ing or buther. " ' What was yees doing here wid Kath leen ? ' sez he. " ' Loving her, your riverince,' sez I. " ' And how dare you love sich as she ? ' sez he. " ' Troth ! and I'm thinking her as good as rnesilf, your riverince,' I sez. " At that I thought the ould praast would choke himsilf, he held his grip so tight upon his own throat. Jabers ! but it was rejoicing, I was, that it wasn't mesilf's he fingered that ways. "'Teddy,' sez he, afther a bit, and spaking more calm like, though I knowed the divil was behind it all: 'Teddy I'm going to have yees whipped to death, and thin sint away for a baastly vagabone, to arn yees own living in the cowld world,' sez he. "'Jist as plases your riverince,' sez I ' But sure, ye'll be afther knowing I've done many worse things than love the swaat Kathleen, blissings on her sowl ! ' " ' And do ye raaly love her ? ' sez he, in a softher voice. " ' Och, your riverince, and is it mesilf as loves good aetables, now ? ' " 'Will, thin,' sez he, ' for the sake of me niece, as is the apple o' me eye, I'll pardon yees, on one condition.' " ' And, sure, what might that be, your riverince ? ' sez I. " ' That ye'll lave the counthry, and niver come into it agin,' sez he. " ' What,' sez I, faaling me anger rising, 'and lave darling Kathleen all alone by hersilf, widout a protector! Be jabers ! Father Murphy, it's me own mother's son as 'ud sae me own head cut off first, and thin I wouldn't.' " ' What,' sez he, gitting his dander riz agin, ' and does ye dare to talk that ways to me, a praast of the gospel, and I as has raised ye from poverty to be my own sarving man, and gin ye the bist of ivery thing as was lift, whin we'd all aetin, and the pigs had done ? Say that to my r ace, 42 LENI LEOTI; OR. s has been a father to yees, ye ungrateful varlet? I'll have ye horse-whipped out of town so I will ! ' " ' And if ye does,' sez I, ' I'll staal around and rin off wid Kathleen, as sure's my name's Teddy O'Lagherty, and Dennis O'Lagherty was me father' which wasn't so sure, d'ye mind ! but the praast didn't know that. " This put Father Murphy to thinking agin, and after a bit he sez, quite amiable like : " ' And sure, ye wouldn't be after doing that, now, to one as has trated ye iver wid sich respict, Misther O'Lagherty ? " sez he. " Howly murther ! thinks I, what's coming now ! Ayther a mighty sto-r-m, or sunshine sure for I'd niver hearn the praast spaak that way afore. " ' Misther O'Lagherty, ' sez the praast agin, ' I love ye.' " ' Faith ! ' sez I, ' and it's glad I am to hear the likes, more by raason ye niver showed the faaling, at all, at all.' " 'Will, ye think of gitting Kathleen but it's all in your eye,' sez he. ' She don't care for ye, me son ! ' "' That's a lie,' sez I, 'begging your reve'rince's pardon for spaaing plain Inglish ! ' "Father Murphy bit his lips, and his two eves looked jist like fire-balls, they did. "'Will,' sez he, sez Father Murphy, ' we'll jist let that pass ; but she can niver be yourn, Teddy, by raason of her- being bargained to another.' " ' That alters the case,' sez I. " ' It does, sez he. ' Now ye sae, me sun, ye can't make nothing by staying lound here not a bit of it and as I maan to do the gintam oy yees, I'd like to be knowing what ye'd ax to lave the counthry, and have the money down ? ' " And sure, where'd I go ? ' sez I. " ' To Amirica,' sez he. " Will, I'd al'ays heerd of Amirica and what a blisscd counthry it was foi liberty, ladies, and poor folks and the notion plazed me ; and besides, 1 knowed what the praast said about my niver gitting Cathleen was thrue. So I thinks it over a wee bit, and sez : " ' Why, Father Murphy,' scz I, ' saaing it's you, and you're a praast too, and a gintleman I respict, ( I had to lie a little, d'ye mind ! ) I'll go if ye'll give me dacent clothes, pay me passage out, and five pounds to dhrink your rivirence's health.' " He wanted to baat me down, bul 1 saan I had him, and I swore divil a step would I stir widout he'd do my axing. At last sez he : " ' Teddy, I'll do it, if ye'll agree to start right off, and niver sae Kathleen agin otherwise I won't.' " ' It's har-r-rd, so it is,' sez I ; but I was afeard he'd back out if I didn't accept i soon, and so I fowld him, ' It's a bargain, j your riverince.' " ' Stay a minnet, thin,' sez he ; and he I rin into the house and brought me out five j sovereigns. ' These'll pay ivery thing, sez he ; ' and so lave now, and niver show your dirthy face here agin, or I'll have you up for staaling.' " 'Troth ! ' sez I, feeling like a lord wid me hands on the goold, ' it's not throubled wid me ye'll be agin soon. The top o' the morning to your riverince ! ' and so I left him. " Will, to wind up, I com'd to Amirica, and spint all me fortune, and then wint to work and earned more money, and thin wint thraveling to. sae what, 1 could find, whin, blissings on me 'luck! (turning to me ) I fill into your honor's sarvice, for which good bit of accident howly Mary be thanked ! That's me story." At the moment Teddy concluded, and ere a single comment or remark had escaped our lips, a frightful volley of mus ket balls flew round us like hail, and one of our party, springing up with a yell, fell back a corpse. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 43 CHAPTER IX. It.'N FOB COVER A REMARKABLE VOLLEY- ASSAIL THE FOE WONDERFUL SUCCESS BLOODY TROPHIES FRIGHT OF OUR ANIMALS A DILEMMA UNEXPECTED REINFORCEMENT ALARM, ROUT, AND ALMOST TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF THE INDIANS THE WONDERFUL HORSEMAN AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE SPOILS OF THE VICTORS ANIMALS RECOVERED ROUND THE CAMP FIRE MORE TIDINGS OF PRAIRIE FLOWER, ETC., ETC. "INDIANS," was the simultaneous cry which burst from our lips, as each man grasped his rifle and sprang to his feet. 41 Tree, boys, " cried Black George, just as a series of terrific yells resounded on all sides, and a host of dusky figures were een bearing down upon us from every direction but one, which seemed providen tially left open for our safety. Toward this, the only point of compass possible for as to escape without a personal conflict, we fled precipitately, and soon reached a small clump of trees, which afforded us immediate protection, leaving our dead comrade in possession of the savages. With a shout of triumph, a dozen of the latter rushed up to the unfortunate trapper, und one of the number instantly tore oft his scalp, while several others buried their iniv'es in his body, to make sure of their rictim. Meantime the rest of the party, which consisted of some thirty in all, made for our retreat, uttering demoniac yells of barbarous exultation, doubtless fancying us an easy prey. " Now, boys," cried Black George, in a stentorian voice, " every man pick a nig ger, and give the skunks h- ! " His advice did not need a repetition ; for scarcely were the words out of his mouth, when crack went our six rifles, and, almost miraculous to record, six of the foremost tiss.-iilants rolled howling in the dust each man, by a friendly providence, having elected a separate target with a fatal aim. This was a result as unlooked for by us, a alarming to our foes, who suddenly halted and rent the air with howls of rnge and dismay. While it staggered them, it gave us courage, and in the moment of their indecision and our triumph, the voice of Black George was heard shouting the inspiring words : " Well done, boys ! Foller me, and let us bark our pups and butcher at close quarters ! " Saying this, he sprang forward with a yell, a proceeding we all imitated, and be fore the astonished savages were fully aware what was taking place, they found us in their midst, shouting, shooting, and cutting, with a daring, activity, and ferocity they had probably never seen equaled. So suddenly had we become assaifcmts in turn, and so vigorously did we press upon them, that they instantly wavered, became confused, and after a slight resistance, took to flight, leaving four more of their number companions to the first unfortunate six. Being all more or less experienced in Indian warfare, we were consequently wise enough not to follow them, well knowing they would return to the charge as soon as pressed into cover. Both of Black George's companions had been wounded in the melee, but not dangerously, and we now congratu lated ourselves, with a triumphant shout, on our success. " Reckon they'll stay put till we ken butcher and raise these here dogs' hair," said the old trapper ; and forthwith all set to work, save myself, in killing the wounded and scalping the slain. When this bloody business was over, Black George observed : " This heyar coon wonders how the niggers feels now ! Maybe they've got a notion in thar heads that they're some in a bar-tight. Sarved 'em right, the possums ! What busiuess'd they to be pitching into us, when we was tellin stories and troublin nobody. Augh ! " " By gar ! I tink so," added the French man, as he gave his olfactory organ an ex tra dose, and his shoulders an unusually vigorous shrug. " Ha, ha, Monsieur Blake Shorge you say ver moche true, sarve him right, Certainment, he gxt von most tarn ver good exsallent vot you call him drubbing, eh ! Ha, ha ! certainment. " " Och, now, but didn't the blaggarda look a wee bit astonished, the spalpeens ! " joined in Teddy. " Faith ! but I thought 14 LEN1 LEOTI: OK, whin tney rm, maybe as it was a race they was rinning fur whisky or the likes." "Well," said 1, "we have been fortu nate so far, that is certain ; and now let us take care for the future. Load quick, my fibnd.s, and let us bring our animals to gether, or the Indians may rally and dash upon them, and leave us in a bad condi tion." " Right, boy," ciied Black George,' wilh a start : " I'd forgot. What a old fool I is sometimes. Quirk ! or the skunks will head us for I knows 'cm of old." Fortunately for us, the Indians had r.ot as yet made a seizure of our -horses, (which, at the lime of the attack, were quietly feeding in the v;il!ey, but now running to and fro and snuiiing the air,) thinking, I suppose, that -victory for them was certain, and well knowing that an Attempt to take the animals tirst, would create an alarm, and perhaps defeat their design of making us their victims. Our possibles, too, had escaped them, proba bly from being concealed under the brush wood collected for our tire, and also from their bei;ig put to flight so suddenly. All these weie certainly matters for congratu lation ; and hurriedly removing our prop erty from out the tire-light, I ordered Teddy and Pierre to guard it with tlu-ir lives, while the rest of us, having reload ed our rifles, set oil to collect our animals. We had not been any too soon in this matter ; for the Indians, having recovered from their first alarm and confusion, we now espied dodging from tree to tree, with the evident intention of getting between us and the beasts, and so capcuring the latter. " Ileyar's a fix," observed Black George, making a halt. " Ef we go fur'ard, the cussed varmints will pick us off and make- meat on us ; and ef we stay here-a ways, they'll catch our critters and leave us to foot it. I'll be dog-gone ef it don't look like a dilemmer, as I hearn a scholard say onc't that's a fact." It was a dilemma, sure enough, and bow to act was a matter of great moment. We could not charge upon the savages as we had done before, for they had " treed " in every direction, and, as Black George observed, would be sure to pick us oil' singly. To lose our ca\ allada was not to be thought of, for this would in a measure place u in their power. What was to*b done ! Several propositions were made by one and another, but all as soon reject ed as being impracticable'. Meantime the Indians were not inactive, and though the night was without moon, we could occasionally perceive a iigu?e Hitting before us like a shadow, and the circle they had made around our horses gradually narrowing. It was a time for action of soice kind, ind yet we stood irresolute. At length the old trappei suggested that we should separate, and each shift for himself in the manner best calculated to annoy our foes. This was the best plan as yet proposed, and was in--t;iii!ly adopted. We had already be gun to put it in execution, when, to our astonishment, a small body of horsemen, with loud yells, suddenly dashed out from a distant thicket, and separating, bore down upon the rear of our enemies. The next moment we heard the sharp crack of lire-arms, mingled with the shouts of the assailants, and yells of terror from the surprised Indians, who instantly took to flight in all directions. In their confusion, a portion ran toward us, and were received by a well-directed volley, which wounded one, killed two, and increased the alarm of the survivors, who instantly changed their course and fled toward the we.st.eri! lulls, only to lind their flight intercepted by an occasional horseman. " Don't know who tights for us," cried Black George, "and don't care a kick but know they's some and so let's arter and discontlumicate the skunks all we ken." Saying this, the trapper set forward in eager chase of the Hying foe, an example we all followed, and for the next quarter of an hour the valley presented an inde scribable scene of confusion and ex'-ite- ment. Nothing of life could be seen but flying fugitives, hotly pursued by a bitter enemy, whose only mercy was instant death; and nothing heard but shrieks, yells, groans, and shouts of triumph these from victors, those from vanquished together with the constant sharp crack of tire-arms, and the clashing of knives, a& here and there two met in personal and deadly conflict. To use a military phrwe, ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. the rout was total, the enemy badly beaten, and the victorious skirmishers only with drew from the field of conflict for want of a foe. During the melee, we had all become mixed up, and but for the distinguishing difference of color and equipments, we might, owing to the darkness, have made sad havoc with our best friends. But the new comers were whites, and there was no difficulty in distinguishing between them and the savages. But who were they, and how came they here so oppor tunely for us, were enigmas I had no time nor opportunity to solve till the affray was over. Whoever they were, they were brave to a fault if I may call that cour age a fault which is reckless of self-preset vation and they fought like demons. One of their party, whom I took to be j leader, displayed an agility, intrepidity, and fierceness I had never seen equaled but once. Mounted on a fiery steed, which seemed to comprehend his slightest wish, he rushed among the frightened sav ages, and twice, as he passed near me, did I observe him bend from his saddle, seize the scalp-lock of an Indian, stab him in the neck, and then, with a motion quick as thought, cut around and tear off the bloody scalp, without scarcely checking the speed of his horse. Already I fancy I see the reader smile, and say such feats are impossible. I do not blame him ; for had I not seen them myself, I should require more than one person's evidence to convince me of their possibility, to say nothing more. A long, loud shout at last attested our complete victory, when I, in company with my companions, approached our deliver ers, to return our sincere thanks for their timely aid. Moving up te the personage I supposed to be leader, who now sat quietly on his horse, surrounded by a dozen stal wart figures, all mounted, I said : "Whom have I the honor to thank for tins invaluable assistance, at a point of time so critical to us? " "Why, as to thanks," answered the one addressed, in a voice that seemed familiar to me, " I don't 'spect thar's any needed ; but ef you thank anybody, thank all -for evevy man's done his duty, and nothing more.'' "Mcthinks, sir, I know your voice," I rejoined, " but I cannot see your fea tures." " Well, it struck me as I'd heard your's afore," returned the intrepid horseman ; and he bent forward in his saddle, for a closer scrutiny of rny person. At this moment Black George came up, and casting one glance at the speaker, ex claimed : " Kit Carson, or I'm a nigger ! Reck on you knows old Black George, don't and in an instant the two were shaking hands with the hearty familiarity of old friends. " Kit Carson ! " cried I, in surprise. "Well, sir, I might have known it was you, from your manner of fighting;" and in turn I seized his hand with one of my strongest grips " You have a leetle the advantage of me," said Kit, when I had don,e. " I presume you have not forgotten Frank Leighton, and the fight at Bitter Cottonwood?" I replied. "Good heavens! is it indeed you? Why, I thought you Avar rubbed out thar, and I've never heard anything of you sence. I'm glad to see you. sir ; " and an extra grip and shake of the hand, con vinced me he meant what he said. "I'll have a talk with you, by-and-by ; but just now we mountain men hev got a right smart chance at scalping arter which I'm at your service." While most were occupied in the bar barous practice (I can never call it by a milder term,) of scalping the slain, I call ed Teddy, Pierre, and one or two others to my aid, and proceeded to collect and picket the frightened animals. This was no easy task, and it was at least an hour before order and quiet were again restored. In the meantime the Indians were scalped, and rifled of everything valuabft, and then left to feed the wolves, some of which had already be attentively a moment, as if to com prehend my questions, and then in a to using, halt' soliloquizing manner, replied : " 'Bout the Injins, don't know think I've seed such won't be sarlin don't like to be sarlin when I aint. Yes ! think 1 hev seed 'em yes, know I hev but it war two year ago, and away up north a of a ways : Fact. 'Bout the other chap, don't know ; yes -no stop let me see y-e-s, I reckon aint sartin what was he like?" Here I proceeded to give a description of my friend, with what conflicting feelings of hope and fear I leave the reside! to imagine. In fact, my voice became so tremulous, that several times I was forced to stop and put my hand to my throat to prevent, as it were, my heart from strang ling me. " Git cool, and jest say that thar over agin," rejoined the other, when at length I tremblingly paused for his answer. I repeated it twice, before he seemed satisfied. " Now," says he, " I'll think let me see ! " and he deliberately proceeded to take up each point of my description, and apply it to some person he had seen, making his own comments as he went along, " Slim and graceful- -let me see ! yes no ye-a-s rather reckon he was know it fact. ' 'Bout twenty-three stop let me think! yes reckon he might be know he was sartin. Good face han'some featurs stop a y-e-s know it settled." Thus he went on until I found my pa tience completely exhausted, and was about to interrupt him, when he suddenly ex claimed : "Seen him, stranger sartin as life know I hev." "Where? where?" cried I, breath lessly, grasping his hand. " San Dorningo." "When?" " 'Bout a year ago." " God be thanked ! You are sure ? " " Sartin, or I'd never said it." " Well, well what became of him ? " " It's more'n I ken say spect he war made a slave. A old Greaser had him, and wanted to sell or git him ran somed. He axed too high, and nobody traded. I pitied the poor feller, but I hadn't no money, and thar warn't no Yan kees thar then to help me out in takin him. Old Greaser went sothe ; -ind some I axed shuk thar heads, and said that that old scamp war a robber chiel, and had lots o' help close by. All 1 know, stnm.wnr " 48 LEN1 LEOTI; OR. " Lut do you think lie is alive now ? " "Can't say, ye see, 'cause don't know. Never sav what don* know. Any thing- more to ax, stranger?" " Nothing that you ran answer," I re plied ; and thanking him kindly for his in formation, I placed a gold coin in his hand, and hurriedly left him to seek out my com panions my spirits, so lately depressed, now buoyant and bounding. The party which had joined mine at the valley, had not yet quitted Taos ; and call ing all together, I preceded to lay before them mv joyful intelligence. When I had done, Black George gave a shout, Teddy a whoop, Pierre shrugged his shoulders and doubled his dose of snuff, and every one expressed his delight in his own pecu liar way. The Rovers so our new com panions termed themselves were nearly all young men from the States, who had come west more for adventure than specu lation ; and as I had become a favorite with tin-in in the short time of our ac- qaintance, they at once volunteered me their assistance, an offer 1 accepted with tears of gratitude. Ordering out our animals, we mounted and set forward immediately, and, although the day was partly advanced, succeded in reaching Santa Cruz about nightfall. By noon of the next day we rode into Santa Fe a place of much importance and no toriety, from bein.g centrally located on the great caravan route from Missouri to Southern California. At the time of which I write, Santa Fe contained some four or five thousand inhabitants, and was the em porium of the northern trade between New Mexico and Missouri. However, ic was ""anything but an agreeable place its in habitants being mostly made up of the off scouring* of the earth without religion, morality, or any other noble quality. To gamble", steal, rob and murder were among the reiined amusements of the most wor thy set. To make matters still worse, there had recently been some difficulty be tween the Mexicans and the citizens of the United States, and on both sides ex isted a hitter hostility, which was produc tive of the most violent crimes. It was dangerous for any one to traverse the streets alone, particularly after nightfall ; for at every corner he turned, he knew himself ir danger cf assassination. Tt. Indians br-o generally sided with tK Mexicans, pro 1 Booked upon all Yankees ** . their worst crstnnes. Such was thf on the way, and then, if we could gain no satisfactory information, to strike out for Tabira on a venture. This matter settled, we at once turned back, but had not proceeded far, when we met a couple of Mexican hunters. As I understood a smattering of Spanish, I at once addressed them, and, in course of con versation, gained the joyful tidings, that a prisoner, such as I described, had been purchased by a Mexican, living not more than three miles distant, and that in all probability we should find him there now. The path to his residence having been pointed out, I rewarded each of my in formants with a gold coin, and then driv ing the spurs into our horses, in less than half an hour we reined them in before a small hacienda, much to the terror of the inmates, who believed we had come to rob and murder them. Assuring the proprie tor, a rather prepossessing Mexican, that ia case he gave us truthful answers no harm should be done him but that, being partially informed already, the slightest prevarication would cost him his tongue and ears, if not his head 1 proceeded to question him. Thus forewarned, and much in fear of ile execution of the threat, he gave straight- forward replies, to the effect that nore than a year ago Gonzalez had paid Lira H visit, and offered him an American ;t. H small price, declaring that if he did not purchase, he would knock the prisoner ' Since our first meeting, time had ripened her to full maturity; and though her sweet countenance was pale and sad, and though something like care and thought could be O,O traced thereon, yet it was so mellowed, so blended with something lofty and noble, that it added a peculiar charm to her appearance which mere physical beauty could not sustain. It was a something that, while you admired, awakened your sympathy, and drew you to her, as toward one you felt it your duty and delight to soothe, cherish, and protect. As I gazed upon her a moment in silence, I became forcibly struck with the resemblance she bore to Eva Mortimer. She was a shade darker, perhaps ; but this might be owing to her lite in the mountains, and constant exposure to the free, bracing air. There was the same mold of feature, and in her now sad and thoughtful expression, a marked resemblance to that I had seen on the countenance of Eva as she bade mo farewell. A sudden thought sent a he* ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. flush over me, and involuntarily I took a 8tep backward and scrutinized her again. Good heavens ! could it be possible ! No ! no ! it was too visionary ! And yet why too visionary, I said, half aloud. As strange things had happened. Eva had a sister a twin sister who was lost at an infantile age who had been stolen away. There was no existing proof or at least none to my knowledge that that sister was dead : no one knew what had become of her. Here was a being of her own age apparently, and of a marked re semblance. Her history she would never touch upon perhaps did not know. Might Prairie Flower not be that twin sister ? The thought, the suspicion, was wild and romantic but what argument was there against it ? The ways of Providence are strange, but not in all cases past finding out. " It must it must be so ! " I ejacula ted, completely absorbed with my specu- j lations, and forgetful of everything around tn'.. [ was aroused from my reverie, by the | voices of both my friend and Prairie Flower. " What is the matter, Frank ? " cried Hantly, grasping my arm, shaking me, and gazing upon me with a look of alarm. " Speak to me ! speak ! that I may know you have your reason ! " "Are you ill, sir?" joined in Prairie Flower, with a startled look. "I fear you are ill, Francis ! Fatigue has overcome him," she added to Huntly. " Better get i him to lie down on the mat, while I run for assistance." - "Stay! stay!" I exclaimed, as the ; latter turned to depart. " I am not ill. I I was only I beg your pardon ! did I act (Strangely ? " " As I never saw you before," replied Huntly. " You stared wildly at Prairie Flower, and spoke incoherently. Tell me! are you in your senses ? " " Most certainly I am. I was only thinking of of " "Of what, pray?" " Prairie Flower, speak ? " I exclaimed, addressing her, as she stood near the en- i trance, uncertain whether to depart or not : "Speak ! what do you know of your his tory ? " " My history ? " she repeated in sur prise. " Have I not forbid you " " Never mind now ! I have important reasons for asking." She colored to the eyes, and seemed greatly embarrassed. " What reasons can you have," she re joined, " for asking this, in this wild man ner ? You surprise and alarm me ! " " A resemblance," I replied, " a strong resemblance you bear to another. Fear not to tell me and my friend what you know, and we promise, if necessary, to keep your secret inviolate." " Ay, do, Prairie Flower ! " urged Huntly, vehemently, who now compre hended the whole matter. " Speak, dear Prairie Flower, without reserve ! Speak, 1 pray you ! for much depends upon your answer." " Are you both mad ? " she said, look ing from one to the other, as if doubting our sanity. "No! no!" I. returned, "we are not mad, but in our sober senses. A weighty reason, which my friend did not at first, but now understands, and all important to you as well as ourselves and others, in duces the inquiry. Come, Sweet Prairie Flower ! will you not grant our request ? " She hung down her head, tapped the earth with her foot, and seemed confused and agitated. I approached and gently took her hand, and again in a soothing voice entreated her to tell us all she knew, reiterating my promise, that, if necessary, it should never pass to other ears. " Say, sweet being ! are you not of oui race ? are you not a pale-face ? " For some time she did not reply, during which she seemed struggling to master her emotions. At length a half inaudible ' I am " escaped her lips. "I thought so I could almost have sworn it ! " I returned, triumphantly. " And your parents, Prairie Flower? " She burst into tears, and hid her face in her hands. " Nay, sweet Prairie Flower, be calm 1 " I added. "Do not let this affect you so seriously. I do not seek to pry into vrvui private affairs, only so far as I fancy thti knowledge imparted may benefit yourself. Tell me did you or do you know your | parents?" LENI LEOTI; OR, SLe shook /.er head and sobbed aloud. " Believe me, gentle maiden, nothing is further from my design, than to wound your feelings or recall painful associations. Do you know how you came among the Indians '? " "Something I know," she answered. " Will you tell us what you know ?" " As you seem so anxious," she said, making an effort to dry her tears, " I will, on condition I gain the consent of Cha- eha-chee-kee-hobah." " And what has he to do with it ? " " I have promised to reveal nothing without his consent. And now I think of it," she quickly added, "perhaps I have done wrong in saying what I have." " Give yourself no uneasiness, Prairie Flower ; for even he could attach no blame to what you have said. But how came you to promise him this ? " " He exacted it of me as my guardian." " Indeed ! Then he must know your history ? " " He knows more of it than I do." Then I must see him at once. Pray, conduct me to him ! " "Nay, sir," she answered, "it were useless. He would tell you nothing. He is old, and singular, and would look upon you as an intruder. I will see him, and see what can be done. He loves me, and I have more influence over him than any other of the tribe. If he refuses to tell me, no earthly power can open his lips, and the secret will go down to the grave with him. But now let me hear some thing of yourself, and how we all came to meet again in a manner so singular." " One question more, Prairie Flower." " Nay, no more. I will answer nothing farther, till I have consulted the Old-Man- of-the-Mountains." " Be it so, then," I answered ; and the conversation changed to matters connected with my present adventure. We were still engaged in recalling past events, when an Indian maiden hurriedly entered the lodge, and said something in her own language to Prairie Flower. " Indeed ! " she exclaimed, starting and turning deadly pale. " Gentlemen, excuse me ! " and she hastened from the cot. " What can be the meaning of this ? " aid tiuntly. " Some startling news, I judge. Per haps some one has been taken ill and sent for her." "And so, Frank," returned Huntly the next moment, " you really think Prairie Flower and Eva sisters ? " " There is so strong a resemblance, my friend, that, Tintil I have proof to the con trary, I can hardly believe otherwise." "Strange!" he rejoined, musingly: " Strange ! very strange ! Yet since you have told me something of the history of the Mortimers, I must say the matter looks possible, not to say probable." " At all events," I returned, " there is mystery somewhere, and I shall not rest till it be sifted to the bottom. I hope she may prevail upon the old man to allow her to tell what she knows, even if he add nothing himself." " And should it turn out as we suspoct, Frank ! " said Huntly with great energy, grasping my arm as he spoke. "Well?" " You know I that is " " I understand. You would have hei the closest of kin eh ! Charles ? " " Say no more. I see you understand me. But then, I " " Well, say on." "I that is you perhaps she she does not fancy me ! " " What ! do you doubt ? " "Why, no yes I I cannot sny 1 doubt but but she is so strange, Fnmk. I would give the world to have her talk to me with the freedom she does to you." "And if you really love her, Charles, you should give the world to have every thing exactly the reverse ; in other words, exactly as it is." " What do you mean ? " " Why, simply, that she docs not love me." "Are you sure of this, Frank?" and Huntly fastened his eyes intently upon mine, as if to read my soul. " As, sure as that the sun shines at noon day." " And you think she she " " Loves another." Huntly turned deadly pnle. "Who, Frank? who?" " Charles Huntly." !" he "xclaimed with a rai>i,j AD\,NTURES IN THE FAR WEST. change " of countenance. You think " 1 know it." He took a step backward and looked at me hard a moment during which his co lor came and went rapidly, and his breath ing became audible and then said, im- O t restively : " Frank, do not jest with me ! To me ibis matter is of the gravest importance." " I do ,not jest, Charles ; I know your feelings, and you may rest assured I would be the last to jest with them." " And you say she loves me ?" "I do." He grasped my hand, the tears sprang into his eyes, and his voice trembled as he rejoined : " Frank, I thank you for these words. I am sufi'ering under deep affliction my life is clouded but, if this be true, there is still sunshine still an oasis in the des ert still something to look forward to." " My words are true, my friend, if that is any consolation." " And how have you discovered this so suddenly?" " I have not. I have known it all along." " Indeed ! you never told it me before." " True, and for good reasons." " What reasons, I pray ? " " 1 did not wish to encourage an at tachment which may even yet prove hope less." "What mean you?" "As I told you once before : Prairie Flower may love nay, does love, mark (hat ! but may never marry nay even reject the suit of him she idolizes." " For what cause ? " "That, she is already wedded to her tribe." " But should she prove to be what we suspect? " " That may alter the case with her; and on the strength of that supposition, and that you have been so mysteriously bought together, and that I find your affections so tJrmiy placed upon her have I ventured to tell you what I have long known. But remember, Charles, I warn you not to be loo sanguine in your expectations ! " " Well," answered my friend, " I will ope for the best. It is all very singu lar ! " he added, relapsing into a milling mood. " I suppose we had better not start for Oregon to-day ? " said I, playfully. 'No, not to-day!" he replied; "rot to-day ! To-morrow, perhaps." " Or peradventure the day following? " " Ay, peradventure." At this moment Teddy, Pierre and Black George appeared at the door to pay their respects to my friend, and I quitted the lodge, bidding them pass in. CHAPTER XIII. JOIN AN INDIAN CROWD SILENT RECOGNI TION GREAT. MEDICINE ILL ANXIETY TO SEE HIM REAPPEARANCE OF PRAIRIB FLOWEli DEVOTION URGE HER TO QUES TION THE INVALID SUSPENSE PRESENT FAILURE SUBSEQUENT SUCCESS PRAI RIE FLOWER RESOLVES TO VISIT OREGON AN EVENING STROLL THE DEATH WAIL. As yet I had not exchanged a word with any of the tribe but Prairie Flower ; and as I left the cot, I turned toward a crowd, which was huddled together near the cen ter of the temporary village, their eyes all tixed in a certain direction. I knew by this, and the abrupt departure of Prairie Flower, that something unusual had oc curred ; and hastening forward, I soon reached them, and, to my surprise, found most of them in tears, and the others look ing very solemn. "What has happened, my friends?" inquired I. On hearing my voice, those nearest me turned round and extended their hands in silence. They then separated, so as to allow me a passage through ; and as I moved along, I shook a hand of each on either side. They appeared glad to see me, but, at the same time, very sad, from some untoward circumstance, of which I felt anxious to be informed. When I had concluded, I turned to an intelligent youth, and inquired the caws of each and all looking so serious. tff) LK Nl LKOT1; OR, He silt nil y pointed his finger to ihc ciutei lodge, and after a solemn pause, uttered : " Great Medicine." "Sick?" He nodded his head. This, then, accounted for the agitation tif Prairie Flower ; and after what had passed between us regarding her history, it may readily be inferred I felt no little anxiety to ascertain to what extent the old man was indisposed, and whether his case was, or was net, considered immedi ately dangerous. He was very old I knew, and in all probability would not long survive. Should he die without re vealing to Prairie Flower her history, all dependence of proof from her would be cut off, and it would doubtless be a very difficult, if not an impossible endeavor, to rndentify her with the lost daughter of Madame Mortimer. On this account, as well as for old acquaintance-sake, i was very anxious to enter the lodge at the door, or just outside of which, were stand ing several females, weeping. I made a step forward for this purpose, when an In dian touched me on the shoulder and shook his head, as a siy;n that I must o'o o o no nearer. " I have most important business with the invalid, " I said. " Can I not be per mitted to see him ? " He again shook his head. " But this matter is urgent." " No one must see- him," he answered, " but such as he desires to see." " Then let me see Prairie Flower." " She must not now be called. We wait her appearance." " \Vill she soon be here ? " ' Cannot say." There was nothing to do, therefore, but wait as patiently as I could. What trou bled me the most, was the fear that the old man might die suddenly, and Prairie Flower, in her agitation, neglect to ques tion him till too late. For an hour I paced to and fro, in a very Uneasy mood, revolv ing these things in my mind, when the latter made her appearance outside the lodge, where she was instantly surrounded by those nearest in waiting, all eager for her intelligence. Having spoken a few words with them, they all -moved slowly away with sorrowful loots, and Pram* Flower approached to where I was stand* ing. The Indians, though as anxious as myself to gain her lidings, moved not from their places, but waked in respectful si lence for her to open the conversation. I, however, not being bred in the same school with them, could not exercise the same patience ; and taking a lev steps forward. I said . " Great Medicine is ill, Prairie Flow er ? " " He is," she ans^-red in a tremulous ;'Very. ill? dangeiously ill?" I in quired. " I fear he is." The Indians behind me, on hearing this, uttered several deep groans, but said nol a word. " Can he survive, Prairie Flower?" " I think not," she answered, mourn fully shaking her head. " Any particular disease ?" " Old age and debility. He is very old, and has not been well for some time. A few minutes- before I was called, he was taken very ill. I fear his time to go is at hand. Friends," she added, addressing her tribe, " you are about to lose one you love and reverence. Let us commend his soul to the Great Spirit ; " thereupon each and all kneeled upon the earth in prayer. When this was over, I turned to Prairie Flower again " Pardon me, fair being ! " I said, " at this solemn time, for intruding worldly thoughts upon your attention. But the Old-man-ot'-the-Mountains is about to de part, in all probability, to join his fathers and friends in another state. You think he holds the key to your history. If you have not already, would it not be well for you to bid him unlock the memories of the past, so far as relates to yourself?" " True," she answered, with a start ; " I had forgotten that. I fear it is too late ; for already his voice falters, and he seems standing midway between time and eter nity, and slowly receding toward th shadowy land of spirits." " Fly ! " I urged : " Fly, Prairie Flow er ! and do your best, ere all is over ! " " I will," she said; and at once hasten ed back to the lodge. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. Foi another hour I paced to and fro hnpatieutly, ever and anon turning my eyes upon the hut where the old man was breathing his last. At length Prairie Flo.ver reappeared, and with her three In dian maidens, all weeping and seeming very much dejected. On leaving the lodge, each went separate ways through the a village, Prairie Flower approaching me direct. " To prayer ! " she said, addressing her friends, who still remained as she had left them. All again kneeled as before. When they rose to their feet, I addressed her : " What news, Prairie Flower ? " " He is sinking very fast," she answered, sadly. " Did you gain any information ? " " No ! 1 addressed him on the suhject, but he only looked at me vaguely, and did not seem to comprehend what I said." " Alas ! I fear it is too late, Prairie Flower ! " "I fear so," she rejoined. "But he may revive a little ; and if he do, I will question him again." With this she returned to the lodge of th< invalid, while I proceeded to join my fri< nd, and inform him what had occurred. I f Hind Huntly as I had left him, in com pany with my compapnons d' voyage, all engaged in an animated conversation. *' Well," he said, as I entered, " what ne'^s, Frank ? Something has happened, I fcnow by your sober looks." .[ proceeded to detail what had trans- piied, and the fears I entertained. " This is unfortunate," he said, when I had done ; " most unfortunate." The sun was some half an hour above the hills, when Prairie Flower again join ed us in haste. Pierre, Teddy and Black George had left some time before, so that no one was in the cot but myself and friend, and we were so deeply engaged in discussing the various matters which had transpired, as not to be aware of her close proximity till she spoke : " Where is this person," she asked, ' whom I resemble ? " " I left her in Oregon City," I replied. " Thai is fir away," she rejoined, mu- angly. ' But what success, Prairie Flower ? " " Better than I expected." " Indeed ! Vou give us joy." " As I observed he might do, wh^n I quitted you," she answered, " the old man again revived, when I immediately put the question as to what he knew of my his tory. He seemed much surprised, and in quired my reasons for asking. 1 hurriedly informed him of your conjectures. He listened attentively, and seemed ill at ease. He had promised, he said, in reply, never to divulge, during his natural life, who I was, nor anything connected with my earliest years." "Ha! then he knows your history himself ? " " Nay, do not interrupt me." " I crave pardon ! Go on." "Yes," continued Prairie Flower, "he said he knew much concerning me, but did not know all ; that something had whispered him this information might be valuable to me at some future time ; and that he had recorded it on a roll of parchment, which he had purchased of a trader for the purpose. This parchment, he said, was concealed under a stone in a certain place, which none but such as to whom he might reveal the secret, would ever be able to find. He farther said, that if in truth I had a sister and mother living, I had better perhaps seek them out, and should they recognize and claim me, J could then do as I saw proper, either cling to them or my tribe ; that although I had been reared for the most part among In dians, and had adopted their habits and customs, still I was not of their race not of their blood and he could therefore see nothing unnatural or improper in my desiring to form acquaintance with my own kin. But, he added, lest I should meet with disappointment in my kin, or those I supposed to be such, not claiming me on what I and they might know he thought it better I should remain ignorant of my self, until I had seen them face to face, when, should all turn out as I desired, it would be time enough to produce ^roof ; and that if I would promise to go in quest of them before perusing, or allowing an other to peruse, the parchment in question, he would make its locality known." " Wlnt a singular request ! " said I. " True," replied Prairie Flower ; " baft LEWI L E T I ; OR, as 1 have .--aid before, (rival Medicine is a very -singular being, and an enigma to all." " "And did you agree to his proposi tion ? " "1 did, though somewhat reluctantly. But 1 knew. if I did not, that the secret would die with him, and of this I could not bear to think." " And so he told you all ? " "He did." " And where is the parchment con cealed ? " " Nay, " she answered, shaking her head, " I do not know as I am at liberty to tell." " I beg your pardon, Prairie Flower ! I certainly had no right to question. But you will accompany us to Oregon City ? " " That is what I came to speak about," he replied, timidly. " You really think your conjectures are right"? " " We do," answered Huntly. " Every thing tends to convince us so. At tirst, what was only a vague suspicion with us, has since grown almost to a certainty. Come, go with us, sweet Prairie Flower ! Bay you will go, and I shall be happy." Prairie Flower changed color as Huntly spoke, and turned aside her head. " And you will allow me a few com panions ? " she timidly inquired. " As many as you please," returned Huntly, "so you will consent to go." " But when do you start ? " " We will wait your time." "My duty," shs said, solemnly, "is henceforth by the side of Cha-cha-chee- kee-hobah, till he take his departure to the land of eternal rest then to follow his re mains to the grave which done, 1 shall soon be ready to join you. Adieu, for the present! I must return to him now." Saying which, she quitted the lodge. " At last," said Huntly, turning to me : " At last, Frank, I have hope. Let us forth and take the evening air for strange thoughts are crowding my breast." Arm in arm we strolled through the lit tle village, where the solemn faces of all we met bespoke the gloom of mou/ning for one universally beloved, and took our way down to the little streamlet, which, all unconscious of mortal change, ran murmuring on as it had done perchance for ages. All nature reposed in her moat charming beauty of quietude. The sun was just beginning to sink behind the lofty mountains to the westward, and the last flood-light of day made golden the tiny waves of the water, and began to hasten the long shadows, precursors of diurnal night, and that night of death which knows no waking. The very air seemed solemn, it was so still. Scarce a breath moved, and the leaflets hung down their heads as if in sorrow. The feathered warblers, which had made music all day, were wind ing up their tunes wilh what seemod a melancholy cadence. A few night-watch ers had just began to give each other calls in timid tones, as if half afraid their voices were trespassing upon a scene too sacred. It was just calm enough, and mild enough, and lovely enough, and solemn enough, to awaken meditative thought that thought in which all the unutterable poetry of our nature becomes infused. When the out ward sense bids the inner tongue speak to us in language which the enraptured soul only comprehends. When we feel a mel ancholy happiness, and a desire to steal away from everything living, and in soli tude commune with ourselves and our God. When the natural voice jars discordantly with the fa'ner and more elevated tones of our being, proceeding from the spirit-harp, touched by the unseen hand of the ^.11- pervading Deity. When, in short, we feel drawn by an unexplainable sympathy to a lonely meditation on things high and holy, beyond the matter-of-fact events of every day experience. Did you never feel thus, reader ? Did you never steal away from your daily cares, your business, your friends from everything common and evanescent to hold a quiet communion with your nobler thoughts? and then trace those thoughts, as it were, to their prime val source the eternal fount of the Great All-Good? And are not such sweet thoughts, and sweet moments of happy rest, in a life more, or less tilled with tur moil and pain ? For myself, I answer yes; for I look upon them as foretaslings of a state of blissful and eternal beatiludt;, when the changing circumstances of thw life shall trouble us no more forever. Thus I felt, and thus my friend, on the present occasion. Deep thought iriU ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST botli was too busy for words, and we gained the rivulet in silence. Some fifty yards above us A\as a large, flat rock, ovferhanging'the gurgling- waters. Toward this Huntly silently pointed ; and obeying the gesture, I accompanied him thither. Seated at length upon it, our eyes simul taneously fixed upon the rapid current laving : :ts base, and our ears drank in its music, while the sunlight gradually de parted the stream, the deepening shadows of night stretched over us, growing more O * O O and more somber, and the stars here and there began to peep out in the heavens, and shine brighter and more bright, till the firmament above appeared blazoned with thousands on thousands of shining worlds, the armorial bearings of the Great Omnip otent. Still we sat in silence now soar ing in thought to another existence now dwelling upon the wonders of nature as a complicated whole, or equally complicated, inexplicable part and anon reviewing the past, touching upon the present, and leap ing forward in imagination to the future that future, to the young, of golden hopes and bright anticipations, destined for the most part never to be realized. Thus we mutely sat, for an hour or more, when Huntly broke the silence. " Frank," he said, "what a charm, what a solemn charm there seems in everything to-night ! I have been musing, as it were, apon everything. I have been back to my boyhood days, when I was wild, giddy, reckless, and frolicsome. When I had no thought beyond the sport of the hour, and no ambition but to make a jest of my fel low beings. 1 have traced up our youth ful sports (for you and I were almost one, you know,) to that sudden resolve which parted me for the last time from my beloved father." ' Here his voice faltered to a pause, and for some moments he remained silent, with his face bowed upon his hands. Then raising his head, he dashed away a few tears and resumed : "I have recalled event after event to die present time, and find, in my reckless career, that I have much, too much, to re gret, But I believe in an overruling, mysterious Power, and that there has been a purpose in all beyond my own simple inclinations. Adversity, T feel, has been for the best, by working in me a great change. Yes, Frank, I am a changed being. From boyhood I have passed to manhood, and from ^he idle follies of youth, to the wiser and more sober thoughts of maturer age. "Once I was all for adventure and change but now the case is different. I have seen enough, and am satisfied. Let me once more be comfortably situated, wiih a home and friends, means to gain an honest living, and, Frank, one, one sweet being to cheer me with her smiles over the otherwise toilsome path of life and I shall rest content." " A great change this, in Charles Hunt ly, most certainly," I said ; " a great change indeed ! But perhaps no more than in myself; for I, too, am tired of ad- venfeure, and ardently long for those very joys, (joys now, Charles, though once it was not so,) of which you speak." "Hark !" exclaimed my friend at this moment. " What sound is that ? " A long, loud, mournful wail came borne upon the air. "Alas!" said I, "it speaks a soul departed ! " " Let us return," said Huntly, with a si'>-h ; and forthwith we set out for the O ' . village. " On our way thither, we several times heard the same melancholy sound ; and as we entered the precincts of tlu little settlement, we beheld somber figures mov ing to and fro, bearing lighted torches. As we drew near the center lodge, I dis covered PrHirie Flower, in company with several of her own sex, moaning with grief. She espied us as we came up, and, sep arating from her companions, approached and extended a hand to each. "Alas! my friends," she sighed, "I need your sympathy. He who has been to me a guardian a father ; s now no more." Her voice faltered as she spoke, and withdrawing her hands from ours, she covered her eyes and wept aloud. 64 LENI LEOTI; OR, CHAPTER XIV. BURIAL OF GREAT MEDICINE PREPARATIONS TO DEPART AFFECTIONATE LEAVE-TAK ING ROUTE NORTHWARD PRAIRIE FLOW- KR IN A NEW LlliHT THE DESERTED VILLAGE THE DESIGNATED SPOT HOPES AND FEARS DISAPPOINTMENT TREASURE FOUND STRANGE DEPOSIT OF GOLD SPECULATIONS ON THK MOVE IN SIGHT OF OREGON CITY. As I have, in "Prairie Flower," de scribed the solemn ceremony by which the Mysterious Tribe consign to dust the mor tal remains of such of their number as are called hence by death, I shall not here re peat it presuming that all who read the present tale, will have perused the other. The second day from his death, was the one set apart for the burial of the Old- Man-ot'-the-Mountains. Each of my par ty, and every one of the tribe was present, and the funeral rite was conducted in the most solemn manner. As it had been the province of the deceased to enact a pecu liar part on all similar occasions, and as this constituted one of their forms of wor ship, it became necessary for the tribe to select one of their number to fill his place. The one chosen for the office, which he was to hold till death, was an old white- haired Indian, of benevolent aspect, who at once entered upon his duties, and thence forth took the title of " Great Medicine." A grave was dug in the valley by the Vittle stream, and here the deceased was buried, with all the mournful honors betit- ting his station. Great were the lamen tations, and many the tears shed, as his body was lowered to his last, long, nar row home the house appointed for all living! When his remains had been cov ered from the sight of all, and the " Last Dirge " had been chanted, several Indian maidens brought and strewed Howers over die damp earth, and then repeating, "Sleep in peace, beloved!" each of the tribe took a solemn leave of the spot, and slowly and sadly retraced their steps to the village. An hour or two later, Prairie Floww sought me out and said : " I suppose, my friend, you are anxiovn to be on your way ? " "Atyour earliest convenience," I replied. "I do not wish to detain you," she re- joined ; "but if you can delay another day, it will greatly oblige me, as I have much to attend to ere I depart." " A day, either way, will make but little difference," said I; "and moreover, we could not expect you to leave sooner, after what has occurred." "Thank you," she replied. "I will hasten all my arrangements, and at sun rise to-morrow will be yours to command ; " and she left me to begin her preparations.' In the course of the clay, Prairie Flow er informed the tribe what had transpired relative to herself, and also her present design. The younger members, who had always looked upon her as one of them selves, were much surprised, and all were very sad at the thought of parting with one so dear to them. They could not but admit, under the circumstances, it was her duty to go ; but they made her promise, in case events should turn up inducing her to withdraw from them altogether, she would at least pay them one more visit, eie she said the final farewell. She then made choice of three young men and two maidens to be her companions, and select ed live noble steeds for them to ride, reserving the little pony to herself. At daylight on the following morning the whole village was astir ; and having broken our fast, the horses were caught and saddled, and ere the sun was half an hour above the hills, all were in readinesj to start. The parting scene between Prairie Flower and her friends was very affecting. She embraced all of her own sex kissed the children over and over again shook the young men and aged by the hand and amid tears at losing her, and earnest prayers for her safety and hap piness, sprang on her pony and dashed away, too much affected to witness the separation between those who remained and ihose s? lected to accompany her. The i latter no>v took leave one by one : and i though much feeling was displaved on both ' sides, yet it was very different fioo* th* (farewell of Prairie Flower ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 14 My friends," said Huntly, when it wme our turn to depart, " for your kind ness to me, I feel very, very grateful but fft present, the only return in my power to make is thanks. Should I ever have an opportunity to do more, you shall find that your labors in my behalf have not been unworthily bestowed. Farewell. If we meet not again on earth, I trust we may in a better state." Each of our party next proceeded to nhake hands with each of the tribe ; and as soon as this was over, we sprang upon our horses, and, dashing away, soon joined those in advance. 1 must now pass rapidly over our jour ney, as but little occurred on the way of interest to the general reader. Our pro visions were supplied by our trusty rifles we sometimes killing a bear, a deer, and once or twice a buffalo. Entering the beautiful South Park a kind of second Eden we pushed forward, and on the se cond day reached the head waters of the South Fork of Platte, down which stream we continued to St. Vrain's Fort, where we all arrived without accident. Here I took leave of Pierre and Black George, paying them liberally for their assistance, and pursued our journey toward the Black Hills, to the very spot where I had first been introduced to the Mysterious Tribe, und where, as I learned from Prairie Flower, they intended making their winter quarters. On our way thither, Prairie Flower threw off much of that reserve which she had hitherto exercised toward Huntly ; and not unfrequently they rode on to gether for miles, engaged in earnest con versation. The effect of this upon my friend was very gratifying to me ; it seemed to divert his thoughts from more painful subjects ; and I saw with pleasure that his pale, careworn features gradually re- cumed their wonted appearance, and his eye, especially, its former luster. Still he was sad at times very sad and then I hnew his thoughts were dwelling upon the toss of his father, and the afflictions of kis mother and sister. He was naturally but little given to despondency ; and when ia company with myself or another, ever trove to be cheerful, that he might not cause us the pain of sympathy. Sometimes I held long, private conver sations with Prairie Flower ; and then she would ask me over and over again about her supposed sister and mother whether I thought they would be glad to own her and more than once made me recount what little I knew of their history. This was a theme of which she seemed never to tire, and oftentimes would be affected to tears. Then she would tell me how she had mused over herself, and wondered who she was whether she had a mother liv ing and if so, whether that mother ever thought of her. Sometimes she, had fan cied herself ignobly born that she had been cast off in infancy and then she had gone away by herself and wept bitter tears, and had prayed ardently that she might be resigned to her fate. She loved the Indians among whom, at an early Age, her lot had been cast to her they were as brothers and sisters ; but still the knowledge that she was not of their race a secret yearning for the fond look and tender tone of a mother had troubled her sorely; and nothing but the consolation of religion, and the hope of at least meeting her relatives in a better world, had sup ported her through her lonely trials. Until I heard this from the lips of Prai rie Flower, I had no idea such was the case, and had believed her contented and happy in the position where Providence had placed her. as had all who knew her. But they, as well as I, had overlooked, that where mystery clouds the birth of an individual, the thought of this to a sensi tive, intelligent mind his or her specula tions upon it the want of, the yearninq for, more knowledge must at times ren der such, no matter what the outward seeming, very unhappy. It was this very thing, perhaps, which had made Prairie Flower so distant toward my friend, whom she loved, as I knew, with a passion pure and holy. She had thought herself unfit to be his companion, and had nobly strug gled to undo what nature had done and oh ! what a hopeless and painful struggle it had been ! what an iron resolution i( had required to carry it out ! and hoi many sleepless nights and miserable days it must have cost her ! At last we reached the village, whereto, some three years before, I had been born* 5(3 LENI LEOT1; OR, from the field of battle in an unconscious state. What singular associations the sight of it revived ! and how mournful its present aspect ! It was deserted, and si lent; and though most of its rude tene ments were still standing, yet their half dilapidated appearance, and the general KIT of long desertion and decay every where visible, brought to mind Goldsmith's unrivaled and beautiful poem of the " De serted Village." We rode through the little town in silence, noting each thing ns we passed and when we had got be yond it, Prairie Flower turned, gazed back, sighed deeply, wiped a few tears from her eyes, and then urged her little pony forward at a rapid pace. A ride of half a mile brought us to a huge old tree, with a hollow trunk, when Prairie Flower came to a halt and said : " My friends, this is the spot designated by Great Medicine, as the one where I should find a treasure to me more valuable than a mine cf gold. Beneath that stone lies all or nothing. Oil ! how I tremble, lest it prove the latter. Heaven, grant I find what I seek ! " " Amen to that!" responded I ; and the whole party dismounted. Leading the way, Prairie Flower passed the tree a few feet, and rested her delicate foot upon a stone of singular appeu 1 ance. " Here ! " she almost gasped, while her features grew deadly pale with excitement, and her frame shook nervously : " Here ! " and she pointed down with her finger, but could say no more. Forming a circle around the stone, we all gazed upon it a moment in silence, and then addressing Huntly : "Come, my friend," I said, "let us raise it." Stooping down, we applied all our strength to it in vain. "It seems bedded m the earth by nature," said Huntly. " Oh, no ! say not that ! " cried Prairie Flower in alarm. " Say not that, I beg of you ! This is the spot described to me by the Old-Man-of-the- Mountains. I have thought of it by day dreamed of it by night. I here have rested hopes of which you little think. Hopes, whose realiza tion may render me the most happy, as disappointment would the most miserable being on earth. If I have made H mis take, it is a fatal one. A mistakt But no ! no ! it must not must not be ! Help, here, some of you ! " she added, ad dressing the others. " Be quick ! and do not keep me in this torturing suspense ! '* She spoke hurriedly, almost incoherent ly, and her manner was very wild. At she concluded, :;he clasped her hands and gazed down upon the rock with A look I shall never forget. It was the agonized concentration of hope and fear. As if, in truth, she feared herself about to lose the only friend she had on earth. Instantly Teddy and one ol' the Indians laid hold with us, and our united efforts moved the stone from its foundation. All pressed forward, and eagerly gazed into the aper ture. Nothing was there, apparently, but smooth, solid earth. Fora moment, Prai rie Flower stood stupefied with amazement j and despair. Then burying her face in her hands, she sank down upon the earth, without uttering a syllable. "Do not despair !" cried I ; and bending down, I felt the earth with my hand. It was soft, n.s if it had once been re moved. I hastily -Jug down a few inches, and my hand touched a solid substance. Brushing away the dirt rap : uiiy, I discov ered to my unspeakable delight, a small wooden box. " 'Tis here ! " thouted I, " 'tis here ! " and the next moment I had torn it from the ground, and stood triumphantly holding | it aloft. My words roused Prairie Flower, who started to her feet with a scream, caughl the box from my hand, pressed it eagerly to her lips and hcaU, and then paced to and fro, in an indcsciibable delirium of de light. At length she became more calm, I and turning to the vest of us, who stood I looking on in silence, she said, in one oJ i her sweetest tones : "My friends, you must excuse me! but oh ! you know not, cannot know, my feelings for the last five minutes." " We can at leas t imagine them," re turned I ; " and certainly there is noapol ogy needed. We are only too happy i discovering the treasure." " Ay, treasure indeed ! " she exclaimed, holding the box from her, and gazing upon it with a singular expression. " Ha ! ' ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. hr added, "hero is something written on ttv outside ; " and examining it a. moment, tihe added. "It is the language of the Wys i']-ious Tribe, and translated, reads, ' Seek /riu'Ci ! ' ' ' That implies something still below," observe-. I Iluntly ; and stooping down, he thrust his hand into the loose earth, and prrsi'iulv drew forth a lump of pure gold, ivi-ighlng some three or four pounds. (ji-faf was our astonishment on behold ing this; 'but it was increased the next moment by my friend bringing up two more of nearly equal size and value. These lumps had no particular shape, and had the appearance of being broken oft' from a larger substance. "This is strange!" remarked Prairie Flower, as we all stood examining them ; " iind where could Great Medicine have procured them ? There is no gold in these mountains, that I am aware of and yet this seems fresh taken from a mine. And, by-the-way, this reminds me that Great Medicine was always well supplied with gold, though where it came from was al ways a mystery to the rest of the tribe. And see ! " she added, giving one of the pieces a close scrutiny : "See ! here is my Indian name, Leni Leoti, scratched upon It with some sharp instrument." " And on this," said Huntly, holding up another. " And on this," repeated I, turning over die third. " They wore intended for you, Prairie Flower," observed Iluntly, addressing her ; " and together form no mean gift." " He was always kind to me, and I loved him," rejoined Prairie Flower, artlessly, her eyes tilling with tears. " But where could so much gold, in this rough state, have been obtained?" asked Huntly, turning to me. A sudden thought flashed through my mind, and I turned to Prairie Flower. " Was Great Medicine ever much abroad?" " Never far from the tribe, since I first knew him," was her answer. " But the tribe has been roving ? " " Yes, we have seldom spent a year at % time in one place." " Were you ever in California ? " " One season we quartered on a beau tiful oasis in the Great Desert, as we termed it." " Ha ! then there is some grounds for my conjecture ; " and taking Iluntly aside, I recalled to his mind the shiny sand we had there gathered, and added : " I think we were right in our surmises of its being gold ! " " True," he answered, with a start ; " I remember now, though I had completely forgotten the circumstance." " And so had I, till this revived it." "" Have you any of that sand with you, Frank ? " " I have not. Our subsequent perils drove the matter from my mind ; and if any remained on my person when we ar rived at Sutler's, it was thrown away with the tattered garments that contained it." "Well, let it go!" rejoined Huntly, musingly; "let it go! There is gold there, without doubt and some day it will doubtless be the means of great speculation." " This being the case, my friend, sup pose we make another tour, and ascertain for a certainty ? If true, our fortune ia made.' Huntly looked at me seriously for t moment, with a very peculiar expressiot of countenance, and then rejoined, in ? decisive tone : " No, Frank ! not even a mine of gold would tempt me to encounter the perils ol such a journey again. Suppose I prove successful and make a fortune what then ? What is wealth, after all. that man should make himself a slave ? 'Tis here 'tis there 'tis gone. Look at my la mented father, for example ! One day he could count his thousands the next he was a beggar; and the grave soon followed to cover a broken heart. Fortune is not happiness therefore I'll pay no court to the truant jade. Let those have wealth who crave it ; let them worship the golden Mammon ; for myself, let me be happy with little, and I ask no more. But, come ! I see Prairie Flower and the rest are wait ing us, and we must be on the move." Joining the others, we made further search, but finding nothing new, we all mounted our horses and set forward Prairie Flower in better spirits than 1 had 68 LENI LEOTI; OR, ever seen her. Though in possession of the box supposed to contain all she desired, yet she absolutely refused to open it, lest she might be tempted to an examination of its contents, and thus break her promise to the dying old man. Summer had already passed, and the mortal stroke of old Autumn was even now beginning to be felt on the mountains. The trees, which had waved their green leaves as an accompaniment to the' music of the forest choir, were already changing color, as if in dread of the steady, onward strides of their annual, but ever-conquering foe. The iirst process of decay had begun but so beautiful, that one as he gazed upon it, though it awakened a solemn, al most melancholy train of thought, could hardly wish it otherwise. As we ascended .he mountains higher and more high, the $cene below us became enchanting in its variety. Far, far away, for miles upon miles, the eye roved over hill and plain, while the soul, as it were, drank in the rery essence of nature's beauty. The atmosphere was cool and clear, and the sun brilliant, but not warm. In every direction there was something new for the eye to rest upon something new for the mind to ponder. I beheld distant mount ains rising to the very skies isolated, glistening and cold in their lonely grandeur jis one who has ventured to the topmost round of Ambition's ladder, and scorns in his elevation all meaner objects grovel ling in the dust below. I beheld lovely valleys, as yet untouched by the destroyer, still bright in their summer garments, through which purled silvery streams the former doomed ere long to put on the withered shreds of mourning, and the latter to cease their murmurs in the icy fetters of the advancing Winter-King. In short, I beheld hills, and dales, and for ests, and rolling prairies, and rivers, and rivulets all spread before me in pic turesque succession and all more or less variegated with the many-hued m.mtle of autumn. The scene was enchanting ; and, as Prairie Flower, who with my friend had also been silently surveying it, observed with a sigh : "Most melancholy beautiful." But lovely as was the view, I had but little time for con'emplation ; for the Ion journey before us, and the lateness of tlic season, required us to hasten forward, thai we might pass the mountains before the nowstorms and ice of winter should com pletely bar our way. We had yet some thirteen hundred miles to travel, and, with everything favorable, could not hope to reach our destination in less than five 01 ix weeks. Fortunately our animals were in good order lightly laden --with no troublesome vehicles creaking and rum bling after, to delay us with bad roads anil breaking accidents. Leaving Laramie Peak to our right, we struck across the Laramie Plains to the Sweet Water Mountains, and thence de scended to the great Oregon trail, crossing the Rocky Mountains at the well-known South Pass. For the rest of the distance, our road was to some extent a traveled one, and our progress, with some litte delays very rapid. As nothing of unusual interest occurred on the route, I shall pats it over without a record. On the evening of the first day of No vember, 1343, we came in sight of tl. lights of Oregon City, which we hailid with three dealeanx;: cheers. CHAPTER XV. ARRIVE AT MRS. HUNTLV's PAINFUL SUR MISES THE WELCOME VOICE MEETII'O OF LOVERS OF BROTHER AND SISTER OF MOTHER AND SON TIDINUS OF MT FRIEND'S CAPTIVITY ITS EFFECT UPO THE HEARERS TALE OF MY ADVENTURES PRAIRIE FLOWER DESCRIBED AFFEC TIONATE CURIOSITY LILIAN'S ENTHU SIASM FOR EVA VARIOUS MATTER* DISCUSSED A HAPPY NIGHT. To describe my feelings and those of Huntly, when we halted within view of the dwellings containing those around th*. very tendrils of whose hearts our own were entwined on whose happiness or misery our own were depending would be impossible ; and therefore J *ha)l not ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST attempt it. The day's journey had been very severe for we had all ridden hard, in order if possible to reach the village before nightfall. In this we had not suc ceeded ; but knowing we were near, we still pressed forward after night set in, and by nine o'clock in the evening, had come in sight of the glimmering lights, as shown in the last chapter. We now held a short consultation, which resulted in Huntly, Teddy and myself re solving to go forward, while Prairie Flower and her companions should encamp and remain where thev were through the night. * O f O Our object in this was to see our friends alone, and prepare them to receive our fair benefactress, whom we intended to introduce as an Indian maiden, and then leave matters to take their own course. Having at length arranged everything to our satisfaction, we rode forward, and n less than half an hour drew rein near the humble cottage of Mrs. Huntly. " And is it here," said Charles, as he gazed with a sigh upon the rude edifice : " And is it here I again meet my dear mother and sister ? Alas ! Frank, there Is a change indeed in our fortune ! and uow I feel it." " Repine not," returned I ; " but rather thank God you are safe, and look forward to better days ! " "I will not repine," he said. "But, Frank, there is such an air of poverty here, I could not avoid giving vent to my thoughts." As we spoke we dismounted, and giving our horses in charge of Teddy with or ders to take good care of them, and seek another place of rest for himself, we approached the door with trembling steps, and with conflicting feeling?; of hope and fear. What if something had happened, nud we should find a stranger in place ot those we sought ! But no ! no ! we would not harbor such a thought would look to clasp our friends to our beating hearts ! The house was tightly closed, but not uninhabited, as we could see by the light which here and there shone through a crevice. , " Go forward ! " whispered Huntly ; and I advanced and rapped timidly on the rough door with my knuckles. To this there came no answei. and J repeated it, but harder and louder. " Who is there ? " said a soft voice from within. Gracious heavens ! how its tones thrilled me ! I knew it ! I would have known it among a million ! It was the voice of my own beloved Lilian ! " A friend," answered I, as with one hand I grasped the arm of Charles, who was now trembling with agitation. " Pardon me ! " answered Lilian ; " but will you give me your name as it is al ready somewhat late, and there is no one within but mother and myself." " And do you not know me, Lilian ? " " That voice !" I heard her exclaim; " that voice ! " and the next moment there was an agitated rattling at the door, which instantly swung open, and revealed the idol of my thoughts standing before me, pale and trembling. " Lilian ! " I exclaimed, " thank God we meet again ! " and in an instant she was folded in my embrace and weeping with joy. " 0," she ejaculated, looking up affec tionately into my face : " 0, Francis, this is more than I have prayed for more than I expected : I did not look for you this season. But, ha ! " she exclaimed, as the shadow of her brother, who had stolen in behind her unperceived, fell upon her vision "we are not alone who have we here ? " She turned suddenly round, and her eyes met the tearful ones of Charles, as, with outstretched arms, he stood ready to receive her, too much affected to utter syllable. For a brief moment she remained speech less and motionless, as if fearing to believe her senses ; and then gasping " My bro ther ! " she staggered forward and sank fainting upon his breast. At this moment Mrs. Huntly, who had been on the point of retiring, but had been deterred by the sound of voices, entered the room from an adjoining apartment. " Who have we here ? " she said, as sh advanced toward us, looking from one to the other inquiringly, but unable from th position of the light to see our feature* " Francis ! " she exclaimed joyfully, as 1 took a step forward ; " Francis, my son , 70 LENT LfcU'M; Oh., do I indeed see thco again ! " and ere the words were concluded, I found myself closed in a motherly embrace. " This is indeed a happy surprise ! " she added, warmly. " But there," returned I, pointing to Charles, who, still straining Lilian to his breast, was nov gazing upon his mother with that singular expression of intense joy, which the imprisoned soul, struggling as k were for release, and choking all utter ance, stamps upon every feature : "There," said I, "a more happy surprise awaits you ; " and springing forward, I took the half unconscious form of Lilian from the arms of my friend. For A moment mother and son stood face to face, gazing upon each other, completely overpowered by their feelings. " Mother ! " at length burst from the lips of Charles. " My son ! " and staggering forward, they fell upon each other's neck, and gave their overcharged souls vent in tears and sighs. For sometime no one spoke ; then rais ing her tearful eyes to Heaven, and in a voice of deep solemnity, Mrs. Huntly ejac ulated : " Almighty God ! I thank thee for this moment of unclouded happiness for re storing the wanderer safe to the only parent he has on earth !" "Ay, the only parent," added Charles, with a fresh burst of emotion ; " the only one, dear mother My father alas ! mv father ! " He paused, overcome by his feelings. But I will not prolong the affecting ccene. .Suffice, that for more than an hour very little was said, except in the way of thanks to the Supreme Ruler for bringing us all safely together once more. And well might we be thankful to that watchful Providence, which had slumbered not in the hours of grief and danger, and had brought us all our, as it were, from the very " Valley of the Shadow of Death." The first transports of joy over, we gradually grew calm ; and having formed a small circle before the cheerful fire : "Now," said Mrs. Huntly, "let me bear something of my friends in Boston." "Alas'." sighe' 1 \, my mind reverting at once to my own parents, " I can you no news in that quarter." " And have you not been home ?" she asked in surprise. I shook my head. " Then you met Charles on the way, and he perhaps can tell me ? " and sh turned to him inquiringly. ' Nay, mother," he answered sadly, * 1 have not seen the land of my nativity since I there parted from you." " Why, what means this? " she asked turning to me. " Pardon me," I said in some embar rassment, " if I once deceived you both I but I did it for the best." " Deceived us!" exclaimed both Lilian and her mother in a breath. " Pray ex plain yourself, Francis ! " added the latter. " You remember I told you that when I parted with Charles, he was goino- east ward ? " "Well! well!" ." But I did not ruld, it was only intend ed as a parting of a few minutes, and Uv-i'. when I met you on the mountains, 1 believed him lost to us all forever." "Lost?" screamed Mrs. Huntly. " Lost ? " echoed Lilian. " Lost ! " rejoined I. "Ay, lost indeed for I believed him dead." " O, speak, Francis ! " exclaimed Mrs. Huntly, greatly agitated, and looking from me to Charles, and from Charles to me : "Speak, Francis, and tell us what yon mean ! " " Charles," I returned, in a trembling voice, " was taken prisoner by a band of guerrillas ; but I I believed him doad for no trace of him could be found." " A prisoner ! You, Charles, mv son, a prisoner ? " cried his mother ; and again throwing herself upon his neck, she burst into tears ; while Lilian, gliding up to his side, took his hand in silence, and gazed mournfully upon him with swimming eyes, " Is it so, Charles t" asked his mother. "Is it so? Have you indeed bern ru captivity ? " "I have, dear mother, 1 have!'* h answered in a voice choked with emotion. Drawing back, Mrs. Huntly gazed upon him with a look of unutterable fondnesa and affection, and then turning to me, said somewhat coldly : ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 71 " Francis, how could you deceive trie ! * did not thiuk this of you." I w:is about to reply, when Lilian turned quickly round and confronted her mother : " Mother," she said, " do not speak in that manner. If Francis did not tell us " Yes," rejoined Mrs. Huntly, " I am all anxiety to hear the story." "Who shall tell it?" asked I. "You, Frank," answered Charles. "You can tell it better than I." The tale I told : beginning with the all, it was because he feared to wound our \ loss of my friend at Pueblo de los Ange- feelings to give us unnecessary pain. I los, and its subsequent effect upon me, up Was it not so?" she asked, appealing to to the time when I met with his mother me with her soft blue eyes. " It was ! '' I exclaimed, struggling to command my foelings. " It was, dear Li lian God bless you for an angel it was ! " I crave parr"on ! " said Mrs. Hutitly, takin< hand I did not intend to wound your feelings, Francis, and sincerely believe you did al' for the best. But the suddenness of the news the shock surprised and alarmed me, and I did not heed what I said, t now know it was all for the best ; for had I known Charles was lost. I fear the result might have been fatal. Thank God," she continued, turn ing again to her son : " Thank God, you are safe before me now ! 0, Charles, my son," she added, covering her eyes with her hands to conceal her emotion, "you must never, never leave me again." " Never, mother," he answered solemn ly, " till we are parted by death." "And this," said Lilian, turning fondly io me, "is why you became so agitated whenever I mentioned my brother. I un derstand all now. And this, too, is the cause of your abrupt departure, which has ever appeared so singular to me, and over which Eva and I have speculated many an hour, without solving the problem." so ' And did my departure indeed appear singular, sweet Lilian ?" I inquired in surprise. " Did I not tell you I was going to seek your brother?" " Ay ! but you forget you did not tell me he was lost and we, you know, sup posed him in Boston, There was nothing so remarkable in your going to meet him, ns in the hurried manner which you de parted without any previous notice, as if you had heard bad tidings. It was this that put us to conjecture." *' True, I did overlook that." Well, well, dear Francis, never mind ; you are here again ; and now we must hear the tale of your adventures, and how you found Charles " and sister near the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. I then narrated my last ad venture, and gave a brief description of the scenes already laid before the reader, and how I had, little by little, traced Charles to the very spot of his captivity, only to find that another had released him. This led me to Prairie Flower, whom I de scribed as a beautiful being, and as good as she was beautiful. I described our tirst meeting with her and her tribe, and some thing of their manners and customs, and recalled to mind how she had, at the risk of her life, appeared to warn the emigrants, on that memorable night before they crossed the Rocky Mountains. I then re verted to Charles, and how I had found him in company with the tribe. In fact, I gave an outline of all the principal inci dents of interest, carefully avoiding any allu sion to the attachment existing between my friend and Prairie Flower, as also that we had any suspicions as to who the latter might be, or that she had accompanied us on our last journey. During the recital, both Mrs. Huntly and Lilian listened eagerly, occasionally interrupting me with some question or ex clamation, when the incidents detailed were unusually exciting. In fact, when ever I described a scene of danger to my self, Lilian would press close to my side, and gaze up into my face, pale and breath less, sometimes shuddering at the picture called up in her mind, and seem to hang upon my words as intensely as though they were actually imparting life or death to him she loved. Nay, more than this : On several occasions did she become so lost in the thrilling tale, as to utter .excla mations of horror ; and then, remember ing where she was, she would clasp mv hand with a hearty pressure, and in a low voice thank God for my deliverance and present safety. And where is this beautiful Indian L E M I LEOT1; OK, maiden ? '' she asked when I had done. "What a singular being! 0, I should love her Bo ! for her goodness, and her kindness to those so dear to me." " Ay, Lilian, you would indeed love her," I answered ; "for she is one of the sweetest beings you ever knew." " Always excepting Eva," she rejoined, playfully. " Nay, Lilian, 1 will except no one but your own sweet self." She blushed, and smiled, and added : " You are too complimentary." " But what has become of this Prairie Flower ?" inquired Mrs. Huntly. "You did not tell us where you had left her." " And what if I should say she is near at hand?" " Near at hand ! " repeated Lilian. " Explain, Fiancis ! " added Mrs. Huntly. " She crossed the mountains with us." " Indeed ! and where is she now ? " " Within sight of the lights, of this great city." " Is it possible ! And why did you not bring her here at once ? " "Why, it was already late ; and as she has several companions with her, we tuoughl it better tor the party to encamp and remain till morning, while we went forward and prepared you to receive them." " 0, I am so anxious to see her ! " re joined Lilian ; " and so will Eva be, when she hears of her. While she remains with us, we will treat her as a sister." "I believe you," returned I, pointedly, and fixing my eye upon Huntly, who blushed and turned his head aside, but made no remark. " 0, what a surprise awaits Eva on the morrow!" pursued Lilian. "She does uot dream you are here ; and yet she has been praying for your return Avith brother Charles, every day since you left." " I thank her, from my heart, for her interest in our welfare. She is a noble girl." "She is indeed !" rejoined Lilian, en thusiastic in praise of her friend ; ' and I love her as a sister which I hope she may be ere long," she added, playfully, turning to Huntly with a smile, who ap peared not a little embarrassed. " O, Charles," continued Lilian, pursuing her train of thought, "If ever ono being loved another without seeing him, dear Eva loves you for your name is ever on her tongue.'* " I am very grateful for it, certainly." replied Charles, evasively, feeling himsell pressed for an answer. " And well you may be for her equal does not live ! " persisted Lilian with spirit, loth to quit the subject. " Do not assert that ! " returned I, wilh a smile. " You forget that Eva had a sister." " But who knows anything of her sister, Francis ?" " Ay, who knows ! " answered I, re flecting on what I suspected, and on what the morrow might reveal. " But come, Lilian, since Eva has so much place in your thoughts, tell me how it has fared with you since last we met." "0, as well as could be expected, and you away," she answered, naively. " We have walked, and rode, and played, and sung, and read, and talked, and wondered fifty times a day where you were, and when you would return, and if Charles would come with you, and so on. To sum up, the spring, summer and most of the autumn have passed but somehow the time has been more tedious than ] could have wished. There is not the so ciety here to please us, and on the whole we have not been very well contented. There has been quite an addition of set tlers here during the past season, and tiie village has much improved since you saw it. In fact, it begins to assume the aspect of a civilized town ; but still I feel I could never be happy here." "And would you like to return to tlia east ? " "0, dearly!" " You shall start in the spring, then," I rejoined. " 0, that is joyful news. And Eva shall go also ? " "All that desire to acccompany us. Lilian." " Eva will be so rejoiced at this. But mother has invested what little means she had in the purchase of land." "Well, that can be sold again ; and it will have lost nothing in value, since tie town has begun to flourish." " And will you go, mother ? " askel ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 78 Lilian, addressing the good old lady, who, meantime, had been conversing with Charles in an under tone. "As my children desire," answered Mrs. Huntly. " I shall leave all to you, my children. But, come, Charles is about to tell us of his captivity ; and although it is late, I am anxious to hear his tale." Thus ended my conversation for the lime with Lilian ; and forming a half cir cle around her brother, we all attentively listened to his thrilling narrative. By the time he had concluded, the m'g-ht was far advanced ; and though I had a thousand things to say to Lilian, I deferred them all to another opportunity, and retired to rest with a lighter heart than I had known for many a long year. CHAPTER XVI. ORNING SALUTATIONS MY FRIEND GLOOMY OLD FRIENDS CORDIAL GREETINGS MEETING OF CHARLES AND EVA EMBAR- IIASSMENT OF DOTH REASSURANCE PRAIRIE FLOWER DISCUSSED NATURAL JURMISES SLIGHT JEALOUSY GOOD TIDINGS. WHEN I awoke on the following morn ing, the bright sun was already streaming through the half closed shutter of my room. Huntly was up and dressed, and standing by my bed. "Come ! " he said, as I partially aroused myself to look around : " Come, Frank, *he sun is up before you, and breakfast is waiting ! " At first I felt a little bewildered, as a person sometimes will in a strange place. But it was only momentary ; and remem bering where I was, I sprang to the floor, hurried my rude toilet,- and accompanied my friend to the larger apartment, where 1 found (he table smoking with hot viands, Mid Lilian and her mother ready to wel- jome me with sweet smiles and cordial alutations." " And how did you rest ? " inquired Mrs. Huntly. " Well ! " I answered. " I slept sound ly, I assure you, or I should have made my appearance ere this." " I am glad to hear it, my son, for yo needed rest. Lilian and I were not so for tunate ; for the unusual events of last night drove all slumber from our eyelids, and we could do nothing but talk of you and Charles." " I fear our presence, then," said I, smi ling, " has robbed you of a sweet night's rest?" " Do not be alarmed," returned Lilian, archly. " Your presence has been more beneficial than sleep, I assure you and never did I behold daylight with more joy." " That you might escape from your re flections, eh ! Lilian ? " " That I might see you again," she re joined, wkh one of her sweetest smiles. " A kiss for that ! " cried I gaily. And I took it. The morning meal passed off cheerfully with all save Charles, who appeared some what jrloomv, at times abstracted, and rarely '.poke. " AV nat is the matter, my friend ? " in quired i. " One would look to see you cheerful, if not gay ; and yet you are si lent and thoughtful." "I feel a little depressed in spirits," he answered. " But never mind me. I shall be myself in time. At present I am so berly inclined." " Fatigue, perhaps ? " suggested his mother. " My father ! " he answered, solemnly. Instantly a dead silence prevailed, and the tears sprang to the eyes of both Mrs. Huntly and Lilian. " But, come," added Charles, after a pause, " do not let me make you sad, my friends ! You mourned my father bitterly, long ere I heard of his death. You must remember my cause for grief is recent." " Alas ! " sighed Mrs. Huntly, " we all mourn him still, and ever must." Another gloomy silence succeeded. " I saw Teddy this morning," at length pursued Charles, anxious to divert our thoughts from the painful channel into which his remarks had drawn them, " and I dispatched him to Prairie Plower, re questing the presence of herself and 74 LENI LEOTI; OR, friends. She and they will soon be here." " And I," added Lilian, " have seen Eva. It would have done you good to have witnessed her surprise and delight, on hearing the joyful tidings I imparted. I expect her here every moment. Ha ! she is here now ! " she added, rising ; " I know her step ; " and hastening to the door, she conducted the object of her re marks and Madame Mortimer into the apartment. I hurriedly arose and advanced to meet them. " 0, I am so rejoiced to see you, Fran cis ! " cried Eva, springing forward and extending both hands, which I shook warm ly. " This is a joyful surprise indeed ! " " And I," said Madame Mortimer, com ing up, " I, too, believe me, am most hap py to welcome you back, as it were, to the land of the living ! We have felt your bss severely most severely, sir ! " and the pressure of her hands, as she said this, convinced ine her words were not idly said. " I feel myself most fortunate and hap py in having such friends," I replied, em phasizing the last word ; " And, I assure you, I am as rejoiced to meet them as they can be to see me. ' But, come ! let rne pre sent jou to my long lost friend !" and turning to Huntly, who had risen from his seat, I introduced both mother and daugh ter together. Huntly bowed low to each, and, with unusual embarrassment for him, said it gave him extreme pleasure to moet with those whom he had seen years before, in a moment of peril, and of whom he had since heard so much from me. 1 particularly noted the countenance of Eva, who now beheld Charles Huntly for the first time. As I presented her, she turned pale, then crimsoned to the eyes, then took a faltering step forward, as if to meet him, but finally paused and let her eyes sink to the floor, seemingly greatly embarrassed. Not so with Madame Mor timer. With a quick step she instantly advanced toward Charles, who met her half way, seized his proffered hand, and frankly said, in a voice tremulous with emotion : " God bJess you, Charles Huntly ! I am most happy to behold you. You, sir, a stranger, saved the life of my daughter, at the risk of your own. You have had a fond mother's prayers for your safety and happiness ever since ; but until now, 1 have never had an opportunity of express ing to you my most lasting obligations ; " and she turned away her face to conceal the springing tears. " You owe me no obligations," returned my friend, frankly. " If there were any due, they have long since been canceled in your kindness to those I love. I did but my duty ; and if the adventure wa perilous at the time, it certainly brought its own reward afterward, in a satistied conscience." Here he rested his eyes upon Eva, with an expression as of uncertainty whethei to advance to her side or remain where he was. At the same time Eva looked up, their eyes met, and with a simultaneous movement, each approached and took tho other by the hand. " 0, sir ! " began Eva, in a timid voice, and then paused, while her snowy hand trembled with agitation. Then making a struggle to appear calm, she added : " ] I am very very grateful ; " and tho last word died away in an almost inaudible murmur. What a perplexing predicament for my friend ! Before him stood the first being he had ever loved, beyond the love filial and fraternal. She stood before him, face to face, her hand trembling in his, and her voice sounding the sweet words of a grate ful heart in his ear. That voice and those words which once would have made him frantic with rapture. Which once would have sent the hot blood to his heart, only that it might again leap in burning streams through his swollen veins. Which once, in short, would have made him the hap- pi^st of mortals. How was it now 1 Tim* ana circumstances work great changes in the human heart, and my friend was chang ed at least changed in that impassioned sentiment he had once felt fur the object before him. He was not cold and indif ferent not insensible to her lovely charms and noble virtues. No ! he was affected deeply affected affected to tears by he/ look and language. He loved her still- but with a modified love. The love of * A D V N T U 11 E 3 I V brother for A sisi or. The love which is' founded on este< m, for the high and noble qualities po.es?ed by another, without re gard to mere personalities. There wa-< no ardency no passion. No! all this was rone- transferred to another Prairie Flower alone held the heart of Charles Huntly. "Miss Mortimer," replied my friend ' or rather let me call you Eva I am most happy to meet you, and feel it is I, rather than you, who ought to be grate ful, for having been permitted to do an act which has already repaid me ten-fold. I am one who hold that every virtuous deed bears with it its own reward. Pray, be seated, and we will talk farther ! " " Ay," chimed in Madame Mortimer, " and you shall give us, Charles, some of your own adventures. Since you came to the Far West, you have, if I am rightly informed, experienced much of the ro mantic." " I have seen a little of romance, I be lieve," replied Huntly, as, pointing his friends to seats, he took another between them. " Lilian," pursued Madame Mortimer, " has already told me something, and I nm anxious to hear more. She says you are indebted to a beautiful Indian maiden for both life and liberty certainly a heavy obligation on your part." " I feel it such, " rejoined Huntly, jhanging color. " And who is this Indian girl? and to what tribe does she belong 1 The daughter of some great chief, I suppose 1 for in all novels, you know, the heroine must be some great personage, either acknowledged or incog." " But, you forget, madam," returned Huntly smiling, " that the heroine in this case, as you are pleased to term Prairie Flower, is an individual in real life ; where as in novels, the heroine alone exists in the imagination of the author, and can be whatever he may see proper to make her. Therefore you should not be surprised, should she turn out some humble -indi vidual." " Well," answered Madame Mortimer, all romance is much alike, whether imag inary or real ; for the novelist, if true to hit calling, must, draw his scenes from real T li TL F A I: W EST. 75 life ; and hence I may be permitted to sxip- po^e the heroine, in this case, a person of some consequence." " And so she may be for what we know to the contrary," said I, joining in. ' And do you not know who she is, then 1 " asked Madame Mortimer. " We know nothing positive." " Is she not the daughter of a chief ? " "No." " Is she beautiful ? " asked Eva, giving me a peculiar look. " Very beautiful/' replied I, glancing at my friend, "who colored and seemed a little confused. Both Eva and her mother caught the expression of Huntly's countenance, and the latter said : " Then perhaps Charles has lost his heart with her ? " Eva turned to him quickly, with a search ing glance, and immediately added : "I believe he has for he changes color at the mere mention of her name ;" and her own features, as she spoke, grew a shade paler. " One has his heart that is nearer at hand," observed Lilian, who with her mother, had been standing a silent specta tor of what had passed. " I pray you drop this jesting ! " said Huntly, with an effort to appear careless and unconcerned. " Nay, but 1 must know more of this singular personage," pursued Madame Mortimer ; " for I feel deeply interested in her. A girl that could and would do what she has done, can be no ordinary being." " So think I," added Mrs. Huntly. "And so you will find her," I rejoined. " I am dying to see her," said Lilian. " She must have taken great interest in the fate of Charles, to seek him out in cap tivity," observed Madame Mortimer. "Is it not so, Francis ? " " Her motto of life is to do all the good she can," I answered rather evasively. " She would take an interest in any one who chanced to be in trouble." " God bless her, then, for a true heart !" was the response. " But how came she to think of visiting Oregon ? " asked Eva. " We persuaded her to accompany as home," I replied. " As she onc saved 78 LENI LEOTI; OR, both our In es, and afterward ransomed Charles from slave) v, not forgetting that 1*1 mg-nt, winch you all remember, when she gave us timely warning of danger, where by much bloodshed was averted, I thought you would like to see and thank her." "And you were right," said Lilian, "0, Eva, we will love her as a sister, will we not ? " " Certainly." answered Eva, rather ab stractedly, and evidently not so well pleas ed with the idea of her being present as the "other. " Certainly, we will love her as a .sister." Could a faint, a very faint spark of jeal ousy have begun to blaze in her breasl ? I observed her closely, and drew my own conclusions. Let the reader draw his. Meantime Huntly had remained seated, apparently indifferent to everything said. Was lie indifferent? Again let the reader, who knows something of the state of his heart, be his own judge. We who are in the secret can think what we please. And why did Eva suddenly become so thought ful and abstracted ? Was she thinking of Prairie Flower ? and did she fear a rival in an Indian maiden? for I had never intimated she was other than an Indian. Again let the reader decide. My design, as previously staled, was to bring all par ties together, 'and leave matters to take their own course ; and I now felt anxious for all the actors to be on the stage, that I might witness the denouement. For some time the conversation went on, gradually changing from Prairie Flower to my friend, who was called upon to nan-ate some of his adventures. Anxious to entertain those present, and divert his thoughts from other subjects, he began the recital of a thrilling scene, in which he was an inactive, though not unconcerned spectator, and had already reached the most exciting part, holding his listeners breathless with interest, when Teddy entered the apartment in haste, exclaiming : " Your honor " Then pausing as he aw who were present, and making a low : bow " Beg pardon, ladies ! My most obedient respicts lo all o' yees, by token I've saan yees afore." " Wei], well, Teddy- -have they come ?" inquired I, impatiently. " Troth, and they his, your honor! aiJ that's jist what I 's a-going to say whin the likes o' so many beaathiful females pui me out a bit." " And where are they now. Teddy ? " " Jist round the corne), as ye" may say." " Remain here, and I will soon set Prai rie Flower before you," said 1, addressing the others, who were now all excitement to behold my fair friend. And I hurried from the cot, followed by Teddy. CHAPTER XVII. PUAIIUK FLOWER HER APPEARANCE TIONS INTRODUCTION THE SURPRISE THE LIKENESS A THRILLING SCENE A MOTHER'S FEELINGS WILD INTERROGA TIONS STARTLING DENOUEMENT. I found Prairie Flower seated upon her little pony, in company with her Indian friends, pale and agitated, but looking, if anything, more beautiful than ever. She wore a plain, neat dress without ornament, which titled her person well, and displayed her airy, symmetrical figure to the best advantage. Her dark, glossy hair was braided and arranged, if not a la mode, at least in most exquisite taste ; and altogether her appearance was such as could not of fend the searching gaze of the most fastid ious critic. All trace of the Indian was gone ; and gazing upon her sweet, modest countenance, one could hardly realize her life, for the most part, had been spent in the wilderness, among the red children oJ the forest. " And how fares my fair friend this morning ? " I said, with a smile, as I came up. " But indifferently well," she answered, dismounting. " I fear you did not rest well last night/* " I did not rest at all," she replied. " How could 1 rest, sir, with such momen tous thoughts as kept me company ? O, sir," she added vehemently, placing h- ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST TJ hand upon her heart; "here, here were strange feelings, strange emotions, strange yearnings but all powerful as strange and they kept ray senses from slumber. Every nerve was then strained, and I felt strong. But now I am weak very weak ;" and ay she spoke, she rested her hand on the ueck of her little pony for rapport. " Come ! " said I, advancing to her side, "take my arm, and I will conduct you hence. It is intense excitement which so unnerves you ; but you must not give way to it. It is necessary, for the present, that you be calm, and do not loso your wonted presence of mind." "And whither would you conduct me ? " she timidly inquired. " Within this humble cottage." " And and are they there- - of of whom you spoke?" she fairly gasped. "Ay! they await your presence to thank you for all your kindness." "And do do they knoio? " she said, emphasizing the last word, clasping my hand, and fixing her dark eyes, with a singular expression, upon mine. " They know nothing, Prairie Flower, but that you are the author of many noble deeds, for which they are your debtors, and for which they are anxious to return yoa heart-felt thanks. My friend and I thought it best to brino- you together. . f ^ without even hinting our surmises." "It was a happy thought in you," she replied, with some reassurance ; " I am gbid you did so ; I am glad they know nothing ; and I will try to be calm and appear indifferent. But, sir, believe me ! this is a great trial. I have been used to danger all my life. I though you may think it strange, for I have never told it you before have even stood upon the field of carnage, where the fierce battle raged, and the deadly missiles were whirl ing past me, fairly hissing in my ear, and there have striven to succor the wounded. I have had my life in danger many times, when. I believed every moment would be my 1-ist. I have, for my years, seen much hardship and peril but never, sir, i. moment like the present never a time rh-n 1 felt my soul shrink within me, nnd refuse to do my bidding as now r a time when I had less self-com mand and felt I needed it more I am about to enttr the presence of those whose blood, perchance, runs in my veins ; and the doubts the uncertainty the hopes and fears which are based upon this bare possibility, are mighty in their strength. 0, sir ! such feelings such wild, strange feelings as rush over me at the thought. are beyond the utterance of mortal tongue words could not express them. But I will say no more. I keep them waiting. I will nerve myself. I am ready." " Cut perhaps your friends here had better wait till this first interview is over." " True," she added, " they must not witness it ; " and turning, she addressed a few words to them, and signified that she was ready. At this moment my eye fell upon several of the villagers, who were saun tering toward us, attracted, some of them perhaps by curiosity, and others by the news of my arrival. As I did not care to see any at present, I said a word to Prairie Flower, and we hastened our steps to ihe threshold of the cottage. " Courage," I whispered, and led her in wiih a faltering step. All eyes were instantly fastened upon her ; ami the involuntary exclamation from more than one was, "How beautiful!" Prairie Flower, pale, and trembling, could not return their gaze, but sank her own to the ground. " My friends," I said, I herewith pre sent you our fair benefactress, to whom two o'f us at least, if not all present, are indebted for our lives. This is the Prairie Flower, of whom I spoke ; and taking slight liberty with her name, I may be permitted to term her the Flower of the Wilderness." As I spoke, each of the ladies rose and advanced to meet her, but Lilian was the first to gain her side. With a quick step she came forward, and taking the inactive hands of Prairie Flower in her own, said in a bland, frank, affectionate tone : " Welcome, sweet maiden, to the home of those who already love you for your many virtues. I have " At this moment Prairie Flower raised her eyes to those of the speaker, whose countenance suddenly changed to a look of bewildered surprise, and taking a 78 LENI LEOTI; OR, step backward, she clasped her h;mds and ejaculated : '' Good heavens ! how remarkable ! " "The charm works." whispered I to my friend, who had silently joined me. He pressed my hand nervously, but said nothing. " Yes, welcome to our humble abode, Prairie Flower," said Mrs. Huntly, in a kindly tone, who, her gaze riveted upon the fr very joy. At last everything began to assume a more tranquil and sane appearance. Prai rie Flower found vent to her feelings in a flood ot tears upon the breast of Eva, who, as she put in now and then a soothing word, begging the other to be calm, min gled her own with her sister's ; while Lili an and her mother wept in sympathy of joy, and my own eyes, by the spontaneous action of an overflowing soul, would, in spite of myself, occasionally grow dim. Madame Mortimer, too, gradually regained her senses, and looking hurriedly about her, anxiously inquired for her long lost daughter. Prairie Flower was at once conducted to her side, whither we all fol lowed to witness the interview. For something like a minute, Madame Mortimer gazed upon her daughter without speaking, during which her features dis played all the varying expressions of a mother's tender, yearning love for a long lost child. " 'Tis she ! " at length escaped her lips, in that deep tone by which the very soul gives utterance : " "Lis she! the long-lost the sadly-wept the deeply-mourned. Yes, 'tis she there is no mistaking those fea tures. The lost is found the dead re stored to lite." Then pausing, clasping, her hands and looking upward, she added: " God! all merciful, all wise, and all just for this I thank thee, from the inner depths of a grateful heart ! This day's happiness, O God ! hath canceled long years of suf fering and sorrow ; and henceforth the study of my life shall be to glorify thy name." During this brief, solemn, but heart-felt offering of gralkuJe to the Great Author of the universe, Prairie Flower gradually sank upon her knees beside the b-d where on the speakei was lying, a/id ci vt ring her 80 LENI LEOTI: OR, face with her hands, appeared lost in si lent devotion. This over, she arose, and gazing upon Madame Mortimer a moment, with a look of unutterable affection, uttered the single word " Mother ! " threw her self upon the breast of the latter, was strained to her heart, and the tears of both mingled. It was a touching scene, and one that needs no comment from me. " And now, my sweet child," said Ma dame Mortimer, pressing her lips warmly to the other's, " my long lost Evuline Mor timer for by that name, which you bore in infancy, you must henceforth be known - tell me something of yourself, and how you came to be found among the Indians ! " Prairie Flower or Evaline,. as I will hereafter term her started, turned pale, and sighed heavily, but did not reply. At once I comprehended her thoughts and hastened to relieve her ; for I saw in her look a secret dread, lest the unrevealed secret ia her possession might even now dash the cup of joy from her lips, by proving her the child of another. " She knows but little of her own his tory," I began, and then went on to re count our tirht suspicions as to who she might be, and what followed, up to her finding :he hidden box, which probably contained a statement of the facts, but which she, for reasons explained, had not yet examined. " Alas ! " sighed Evaline, " and that is what troubles me now. I fear t' jre may have been some mistake ; and if, oh God ! there be " " Give yourself no uneasiness, my child!" interrupted Madame Mortimer; " for yen are my child, I feel and know ; and for my own satisfaction, would never seek other proof than what I have your like/less to Eva, and a mother's yearnings. But if you have any doubts, examine your left arm, and you there will find a scar, in the form of a quarter moon, which was impressed upon Evaline Mortimer in in fancy." Evaline started, mml hurriedly bared her arm with a trembling hand. We all press ed forward to examine it. There, sure enough ! just below the elbow, the identi cal scar could be traced dim, it is true, but still the scar of '1-e quarter moon.. Evaline gazed upon it a moment, faint and pale with joyful emotions, and then turning her soft, dark eyes dbove, with the sublime look of saint, and clasping hei hands, said solemnly : " God ! I thank thee ! " " My sister my sweet, long lost sister J" said Eva affectionately, gently twining hei arms around the neck of the other and gazing upward also "I, too, thank Go. ed a few huts, and continued their dev< tion as before. Here they were visited br other tribes, who, knowing nothing of their history, and struck with their peculi arities and mode of worship, treated them with great respect and reverence, and called them the Wahsochee equivalent to the English word Mysterious by which name and the title of their founder they have ever since been known. " Here Providence again favored them, and then numbers increased very rapidly Their fame spread far and wide over this vast wilderness, and bold warriors from distant tribes came to see them, many of whom remained, converts to their faiiU. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST fa this manner the Wahsochee village again became populous ; and the different tribes, though at deadly enmity with one another, all concurred in respecting and leaving them unmolested. As those who joined" them were among the most intelli gent of their race, and as these were from a great many nations, the language of each w-.is gradually introduced, until, besides a dialect of their own, the tribe had the ad vantage of understanding that of almost rvery other of note. "Thus for several years all went on prosperous, and their number had aug mented from six to an hundred and fifty, when that fatal malady, the small-pox broke out and swept off four-fifths of the nation. From this awful blow they never fully re covered at least, never to be what they were before for many who were on the point of joining them, were deterred by what they declared to be the angry frown of the Great Spirit ; and although other tribes were scourged in like manner, still ihe more superstitious contended that the Wahsochee religion could not be good, or '.he Great Spirit would not have been angry with them, even though he were with their neighbors. ' This latter affliction occurred some two jeais prior to my being brought among them, of which mysterious event I shall now proceed to speak, as I find it recorded by Great Medicine himself." " Permit me a word, Evaline, before you proceed farther! " said I, interrupting her. "Since you have briefly given the history of the Mysterious Tribe, may I in quire why it was, on our first acquaintance, you so strongly insisted I should question you not concerning yourself or compan ions ?" " In the first place," she answered, *' Great Medicine had expressly declared (and his word was law wilh us) that no thing of our history must be told to stran gers, whose desire to know, as a general thing would proceed from idle curiosity, to gratify which would avail us nothin". fn the second place, of my early history I was ignorant at least of that' which re ferred to iny parentage and to be ques tioned, ever caused me the most painful embarrassment ; besides, of what I did kt ow, I had promised th- old man .to ft reveal nothing. I knew I was not of th Indian race ; but to admit this would lead to a thousand other inquiries, which conld not be answered, and which I felt a stran ger had no right to make. Are you an swered ? " " Fully and satisfactorily. Go on witk your story ! " " The location of the tribe, at the period of which I now speak," proceeded Eva- line, " was near the Des Moines river, in the southern part of that territory since known as Iowa. While the tribe remained here, it was customary for Great Medicine to make a journey to St. Louis, as often as once a year, to trade his furs, skins, embroi dered moccasins and the like, for powder, lead, beads, blankets, and whatever else he fancied the tribe might need. On hia return from one of these excursions, (so he gives the story,) and when some ten miles above St. Louis, having fallen behind hi* party, he was overtaken by a fierce-look: ing horseman, who bore in his arms a littty girl some two or three years of age, and who at once accosting him in a very gruff man" ner, demanded whither he was going. Thi horseman, he says, was a very villainous- looking white man, who wore a long flow ing beard, had a black, fiery eye, was short in stature, and heavy set. "On hearing the reply of Great Medi cine, the former drew a pistol and dis mounted, ordering him to do the same. Once, he writes, he would have shot and scalped the bold intruder without a word ; but now he had no such thoughts ; and he obeyed him in silence, wondering what was to come next. "'Here is a brat,' said the stranger, pointing to the child now crouching at his feet, ' which I wish out of the way, and am too much of a coward to effect my de sires. Take her, it is your calling, and here is gold.' " ' You are mistaken in me,' replied Great Medicine, ' if you suppose I will aid your base ?nds. I would not kill* that in nocent little creature to own the world.' " ' By ! ' replied the other, making use of an oath ; ' and you an Indian and say this ! What in the name of aila the child, that all fear to harm her ? She must die though ; and if you will not un dertake the job, why, then thcrt is noothei LENI LEOTI; OR, Iternalive ; ' and be placed his pistol to her head. "'Stay!' cried the old man, beseech ingly; 'I will not harm her myself ; but if you wish to rid yourself of hrr, I will consent to place her far from civilization, nnd aciopt her into my tribe.' "' But she is a child of consequence,' pursued the other, ' the daughter of one who is a great ehirf in his own country, and stands between me and fortune. Should she return - ' ' ' There is no likelihood of that,' inter rupted the other, ' as I shall take her some hundreds of miles into the wilderness.' " ' But her father, who knows nothing of my design, and to whom I must report her lost or dead, may institute search. How do I know she may not be found ? ' " ' That I think impossible,' rejoined the old man. "'But this will make all sure,' con tinued the dark stranger again pointing the pistol at her head. " ' Nay, hold ! ' cried the other in alarm, ' If you dare to murder her, I will make her spirit haunt you forever ! ' " ' You make her spirit haunt me ! Umph ! what are you but a decrepid old Indian ? By heavens ! I have a mind to murder you both. But I hate murder ; for in fact one never feels safe afterward. Do you believe in a God, old man ? for you talk as one the world denominates Christian.' "'I do believe in a God,' answered Great Medicine ; ' and if you dare to harm this child, His just retribution shall follow you even to the remotest bounds of earth and time.' " The other paused, reflected, and then " * I would not have her blood upon my ioul. for I have sin enough there already. You think there is no danger of her being discovered ? ' " Not the least.' " And you say you believe in a God ? ' " I do.' " ' You hope for salvation, as men term ?' '-I do.' " ' Then swear, by your hopes of salva tion, to kc-rp her among the Indians as long as you live to adopt her into your tribe, and never to mortal ear to reveal ft word concerning this interview, or how she came in your possession that you will never attempt to trace out b parent age, nor make any inquiries concerning her swear this, and she is yours. Re fuse, and her death and yours is the pen alty.' " ' I swear to all/ answered Great Mcdi cine. " * Enough ! take her and speed hee U> the wilderness ; while I will away and re port her dead murdered by the Indians/ he added, with a grim smile. Then leap ing- upon his horse, he muttered as he turned away : ' All is safe, I think, for we shall soon be over the water;' and the next moment both horse and rider were lost in the forest. "'This child/ writes Great Medicine, ' behold in yourself, Prairie Flower ! and this is all I know of your early history/ " Strange ! " said Madam Mortimer, mu singly. " Here is more mystery 1 do not understand it. Who could have been this horseman ? and what the meaning of hia words ? As you were stolen away on tho night succeeding my desertion by your fa ther, I had ever supposed or hoped, rather you had been taken away by him, and with him, wherever he went ; and thi$ hope proved my only comfort in affiiction. But now I do not know what to think. Tbi horseman could not have been your father, for the description is not at all like him. The latter was tall dark complexioned, it is true but with tine features and hand some person. And then he referred l> your father, as knowing nothing of this dark transaction, and termed him a great chief in his country, and said you were standing between him and fortune. M'hav could he have meant by this last? Your father had no fortune to my knowledge, and mine was so fixed he could not get it, Ha ! a thought strikes me. He was an exile from his native land though for what he would never U:T1 me would never speak of his early history. It is possible he may have been a personage of conse quence, banished for some state intrigue, and airain restored. It may be he had news of this when he came to declare hit intention of leaving me. And now I re member, he once intimated that he would ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. ottie day he independent of me, though I ; had covered a broken heart." Her last words were said in a trembling voice- and with deep emotion. " God bless you, mother ! " exclaimed Eva in a tone which brought tears to the eyes of all present. " He has bl<;sscd me, my child blessed mt teyond my deserts. Had I been what I should have been, perchance your father bad never left me, my daughters. But enough of this. 'Tis past now gone be yond recall and the i-esult is before us. But go on, dear Ev aline go on with your story ! " " Were 1 to tell the whole," resumed the latter, " it would take me hours nay days but that I shall not attempt to- night, only so far as relates to my earliest years and earliest impressions. In future 1 wil give you more, little by little, until you get the whole. " As I have said previously, my earliest recollections are of Great Medicine and his tribe. I remember his dark, keen eye, and of his gazing upon me for hours, when none were by, and he thought I did not notice him. * But I was older in thought than he was aware of; and I used to won der at this singularity, when he believed I wondered at nothing. I remember many and many a time of kneeling down to a spring of clear water, gazing at my fea tures, and wondering why I was so differ- ent from my companions. I saw, even then, that my features were fairer and of an entirely different cast ; and this, to my young fancy, seemed most strange, as I believed myself of the same race as those around me. Great Medicine 1 then thought my father for so he bade me call him, and so i did. As I grew older, this con trast this difference in person struck me more and more, and at last I made bold to interrogate the old man concern ing it. " Never shall I forget his look, as I, in childish simplicity, asked the question. He started, as if stung by a serpent, and his small black eyes fastened upon mine as though to read my very soul. Never had I feared him till then. There was a wild fascination in that gaze, which thrilled and overawed me, and made my own seek the ground. Never shall I forget his words, as he advanced and took my hand. It was not so much what he said, as his impressive manner of saying it. "' Child,' he replied, 'you seek to know too much, and the knowledge you seek would render you in future years the most unhappy of mortals. Something I feel you must now know and this it is : You are not of my race ; you are a pale-face ; I am your guardian. Seek to know no more, for all is dark beyond. Be one of us, and be happy in ignorance. Breatlu 1 this 1 have told you to no mortal ear ! and LENI LEOTJ; OR, never, never question me again. You promise, girl ? "' he added '' [ do.' "'Enough! Go!' " 1 left his presence a changed being, though he knew it not ; for his strange hmgu ige and manner had roused that eter nal thirst for knowledge, which he had thought and sought to allay. 1 questioned i'im no more ; but his singular words I j on',! e red in secret. " ' There is mystery here,' I would re- pvat to myself ; but 1 took care to repeat it to no other human being. ' To detail my strange conjectures from that time forth, would be to lay bare the secret workings of an ever active ^piiit. I shall not attempt it, but leave it to your imagination. " About this period, a few missionaries set up a temporary station near our locali ty, for the double purpose of making con verts to their faith and imparting know ledge to the unenlightened Indians, bv teaching them to rt-ad and write. At the request of Great Medicine, three of their number came. and took up their abode with us, for the latter purpose. I was at once placed ur.der their instruction, as were all the younger members of the village. On- my first appearance before iht;m F they seemed surprised, and questioned me re garding my name and parentage at the same time expressing their belief 1 was not an Indian or, at the most, only a half- breed. I replied, that as to myself they might conjecture what they pleased, but that I was not then at liberty to answer any questions, and there the subject dropped. " A year's tuition and close application made quite a scholar, and I could now- read and write the English language quite fluently, as could several of the more in telligent of my companions. At the close (Of the period mentioned, our teachers, af- ter presenting each of their pupils with a Bible, and distributing among us several other religious books, departed to another section of country. Soon after this, Great Medicint proposed that we should adopt a more roving life, as in this manner he thought greater good might be effected. Accordingly we began moving from one quarter to another, trying to subdue the wild passions of the Indians of ilie differ ent tribes we met. In this of course w were not in general successful though our exemplary mode of life ever appeared to make a favorable impression on their savage hearts, and win their respect. ID course of time we became persontllj known in every section of the broad West. and were allowed to come and depart an we saw proper. Whenever we heard cf a battle about to be fought between twi na- tions, we would generally follow one party or the other, that we might be on die ground to succor the wounded. If we gained tidings of a strong parly about to assault a weaker, we would manage, if possible, to warn the latter. Or, in the event of the forces being equal, if we knew of a surprise one tribe had planned lor another, it was ever our design to warn the unwary. Whites as well as Indians received from us the same warnings though how our information was obtained, generally remained a mystery to those not , in the secret. And moreover, great cau tion was required by the informant in tluse cases, to avoid exposing himsell to th aggressors, who, in the heat of passioi., would be likely to seek revenge. On many of these errands of mercy for 1 think I may so term them ha\e I been sent, when I knew a single error would cost me my life. But I believed I was doing my duty, put my trust in a Powu above, and faltered not in my purpose. 1 was never detected but once to my know ledge; and in this instance, tbnunat'\ for me, 1 had rendered the tribe aggrieve*} the same service as that for which the} brought me to trial before their council. This being proved, it was finally decided the obligation on their part canceled the aggression on mine, and I was allowed to go free, with a very significant intimation, however, that if caught in the second offence, my sentence would be death. " But as I do not intend to enter into detail to-night, and as I already feel some- what fatigued, I will drop my narrative here, and, as 1 said before, give you from time to time the most striking incidents of my life, as they occur to my recollection. I have- briefly told you all 1 know of my early history, and by vour leave wij end the story," AD ENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. CHAPTER XX. EVILINK'S RESOLVE SOME PLANS FOR THE FUTURE RETIRE FOR THE SIGHT SUB- BBQUENT EXCITEMENT OF MY FRIEND IM AGINARY DUEL A HAPPY MISTAKE LOVE TRIUMPHANT THOUGHTS OF HOME. " POOR child ! my own sweet Evaline," said Madame Mortimer, affectionately, as the former concluded ; " what a singular life has been yours ! and how much you must have suffered ! " " For which she shall be made happy the rest of her dayr,," said Eva, springing to and imprinting a kiss on her lips. " Ah ! " chimed in Lilian, following the example of Eva ; " did I not say we would love her as a sister ? " " Ay, but I had no idea you spoke so much truth, and in a double sense," rejoined Eva, glancing archly toward Charles. " I trust we may love her as a iister both ! " " Indeed you may," chimed in I, laugh ing. "Eh! Charley?" "Be quiet, I beg of you!" answered my friend, in some confusion, while Eva- line hung her head with a blush, and a pleasant smile played over each face of the rest of the group. "And now, dear Evaline," said Mad- nme Mortimer, " I suppose we may count an your spending the remainder of your days with us ? " Evaline seemed to muse seriously, but did not reply. " Surely you do not hesitate, my child ?" " Why, to tell the truth," she answered, " I love the Indians, and know they will be loth to part with me." " And has a mother no tie stronger than that of mere association?" rejoined the other, reproachfully. Evaline looked up and her eyes filled with tt j ars. " Nay, mother," she said, " do not speak thus ! Yes ! " she exclaimed, suddenly rising, and throwing her arms around the other's neck: "Yes, dear mother, I will go with you, even to the ends of the earth - for I feel I could not part from you a^ain. From my very childhood, I har yearned for this happy moment, to hear the sweet voice of one I could call mother. It may be wrong to forsake my calling; but if it be, I feel I must err ; for I am only mortal after all, and cannot withstand the temptation of being with those 1 already love beyond all others I have ever seen." " Bless you, Evaline, for those words ! " " But I must return to them," she add ed. "I have promised that. I must return and bid them a last farewell." " But where are you to find them, my child ? " " They will winter on the Black Hills, some sixty or seventy miles from Forl Laramie." " And will they remain through the spring?" asked I. " I cannot say. They may remain there through the summer, for all are particular ly attached to the spot ; and if any place can be called their home, it is the one in question." " Then you can visit them on our way to the East ; and every thing prosperous, we shall start as early in the spring -AS practicable." " 0, then we are to go East in earnest ! " exclaimed Eva, clapping her hands for joy. " Yes," I replied, " 1 am anxious to see home, and cannot think of leaving my friends behind me." " Thank you for this welcome news ! " she returned ; " for I am already tired of the forest." " But you do not regret having come here, Eva ? " said her mother, inquiringly. " Why, I have regretted it all along, till I found my sweet sister. Of course I can not regret being made happy by her pres ence, which but for this journey had probably never been. At the same time, I am not the less anxious to return now, and take her with me." "And I," said Mrs. Huntly, "now that I am blessed with my children, begin to feel anxious to see my native land again, to there pass the remainder of my days, and lay my bones with those that have gone before me." " God grant it may be long ere th latter event!" returned Charles tvith feel ing. 90 LEN1 l.EOTI; OR, " Amen !" added I. " It .seems," observed Madame Mor timer, after some reflection, " as if Provi dence especially directed our steps hither ; and it is die only way I can account for my anxiety to visit this part of the world, and thus expose myself and Eva to hard ships and perils. What need had I to come westward ? I had a handsome com petence, and no ambition to be a pioneer ; and yet something whispered me I must go. Truly, as I said before, God. works in wonders ! " In like conversation an hour or two flew by, when the party broke up, and Madame Mortimer and her daughters were conduct ed by Huntly and myself to their own abode, which was close at hand, and the fatigue and excitement of the day was *oon by each forgotten in the pleasant dreams of the night. Time rolled away pleasantly, and the third night 'after this, having retired at the usual hour and fallen into a sweet sleep, I was awakened by Huntly, whom I found pacing up and down the room, apparently in great excitement. " Good heavens ! what is the matter ? " exclaimed I, rubbing open my eyes and starting up in bed. " So, then, you are awake at last ! " he replied, his eyes sparkling with what to me seemed unnatural tire. " Why, Frank, I was beginning to think you were taking your last long sleep, and that I might as well call to a log of wood. Come ! up, now, and give me joy ! It is all settled, jny dear fellow all settled ! " "Is it?" rejoined I, completely, at a loss to comprehend what he meant, but somehow, in rny sleepy confusion, mixing it up with a duel of which I had been dreaming the night previous. " And so it is all settled, eh ? Well, I am glad to hear it, Charley. "I knew you would be," he replied; " and I awoke you on purpose to have you share my happiness. Come, give me your hand ! '' " But how did you settle it, Chhrley ? " " O. I made bold to take up the matter at last and press it to a conclusion." "And so you settled it ? " " Ay, and it is to come off at the same time as yours." " As mine ! But my frieud, 1 hnve no such affair on hand, to my knowledge." " What ! " exclaimed Huntly, looking at me in astonishment. " Why, you have given me to understand, all along that you had." " I ? No, you must be mistaken." " Ha ! then you have quarreled ? " " No ! exactly the reverse. But you told me a moment since you had settled the whole matter, and now you say it is to come off with mine. Somehow I do not understand it. Either you or I imi?t have made a mistake. When you said it was all settled, I supposed /ou to mean amica bly settled ; but I see now you simply referred to manner, time, and place. Well, at all events, I will stand by you to the last, though I sincerely regret the affair could not have ended without a meeting. Pistols or rifles, Charles ? " " Pistols or rifles ! " he repeated, gazing at me with a peculiar expression. " Why, Frank, what do you mean by this strange language ? or are you still asleep ? In the name of all that is curious, pray tell me if you know yourself what you ar talking about ? " " Why, fighting, of course." "Fighting?" " Ay, you were speaking of a duel, were you not ? " For a brief moment Huntly looked at me seriously, and then broke forth in a roar of laughter that fairly made the cabin tremble. It was some time ere he could command his voice sufficiently to make himself intelligible. " Go to bed, Frank ! " were his first words, as, half bent over, his hands clasp ing his ribs, he stood gazing at me with a comical look. " Gro to bed, Frank, and dream yourself into a sensible fellow for just now you are as wild as a night-hawk." "But if you did not allude to a duel, Charles, pray tell me to what you did allude?" " To matrimony neither more nor less," he answered, laughing. "Ha ! I see it all now. Why, how stu. pid I must have been ! But 1 w:i dream* ing of a duel last night, and being awa kened so suddenly, and seeing you so, excited, got completely bewildered. And so you have been tete a-tcle with Eva line. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST funnd your tongue at last, and said the sensible thing, eh ? " " Ay, and ana how the happiest fellow Living:" ' Vou found it all right, did you, just as T said you would? " " S-> far that I found she loved me, and iad ftom the date of our first meeting; but that, believing herself a poor, name less girl, she had avoided me, and striven in vain to crush her passion in the bud. Though she would have loved me, she said, to the exclusion of all oihers, even to '.he day of her death, yet had matters not turned out as they have, she would most assuredly have refused my hand, though backed by all the eloquent pleadings of whieh the human tongue is master." "Ay, and indeed would she!" I re^ joined, " for such is her proud, noble na ture. You remember our conversation pears ago respecting her. My remark then was, if I mistake not, that though she might love, she would reject you ; and gave, as one reason therefor, that she was too noble minded to wed above herself. Strange ! what has since transpired, and for which you may thank your stars ! You and I little, dreamed then what the future had in store that mighty future, which to nil mortal eyes is a scaled book, on whose jKiges are impressed the destinies alike of worlds, of nations, and of individuals, which none may read but as its pages are overturned by the wizzard fingers of old Time. Well, well, thank God all has :.urned out for the best ! " " Ay, Frank," returned my friend, sol emnly, " we may well thank God, and con gratulate each other that we are here alive, after the thousand dangers to which we have been exposed.' " And she accepted your hand : " I said, after a pause. ' She did, though not without much urging ; for she contended that even now she was but a simple forest maiden, un used to the ways of civilization, and far my inferior in education, and said that I might aspire higher and be successful. But he loved that was enough for me and Jove and my pleadings at last overcame her scruples, and I left her with a lighter heart than I have known for many a lon|/ year." " Well, my friend, I sincerely congratu late you on the happy t.rminatiori. And so, to speak plainly, your wodding is to come off with mine ? *' " Even so." " Mine was to have come off on the daj you returned ; such were the conditions ; but the day passed as you know how, and as we are determined on going East in the spring, Lilian and I have thought best to Jeter it till we arrive at home. Ah ! Charles, how that word thrills me ! Home! Ah, me ! how long since I have seen it ! and who knows what disappointment and sorrow may be there in store for me ! And how must my doting parents have mourned my long absence ! Perchance they think me dead ! Merciful Heav en ! perchance they may be dead them selves ! Oh God ! should such be the But, no ! I will not, dare not, think so. I will hope for the best, and strive not to borrow trouble. It is enough to bear it when it comes. Come, my friend, to bed ! for the thought of home has driven all others out of my mind, and I can talk no more to-night." CHAPTER XXI. HAPPY MOMENTS WINTER AMtSEV.ENTS PREPARATIONS TO DEPART THE WAH- SOCHEES TEDDY'S IDEA or DOUBLING oa QUITTING MY SERVICE HOMEWARD BOUND ARRIVE AT FORT LARAMIE. How sweetly time passes when with those we love. Moment then follows mo ment in unbroken succession, and com mingling like drops of water, forms the great stream of Time, which, flowing past tlowery banks and lulling us with its gen tle murmur, glides swiftly and evenly away, bearing us on its broad bosom to the boundless and fathomless ocean of Eternity. It is when in sweet and con stant communion with those we love, we forget the jars and discords of our past life, in the enrapturing harmony of th present. We then lose sight of the world as it is, and only behold it through thnl IENI LEOTI; OR, magic glass of inner joy, which shows all its beauties, but conceals its defects. These moments of earthly beatitude are most precious and evanescent. They are as so many golden sunbeams, streaming upon the otherwise gloomy path of the traveler, and showing him a thousand beauties, of whose existence so near him he had pre viously no conception. Thus it was with myself and friend^. Time rolled away almost unnoted, and ere \vc. had prepared ourselves to bid old hoary- i'eaded Winter adieu, we found, to our sur prise, he had gone, and that light-footed Hpring was gaily tripping and smiling in his place. Although far in the wilderness, Oregon sure of quilting their piesent abode, ana what they would do when they should safely arrive at their destination. With Evaline it was different. In this journey she only saw a change of life and scene which, if truth must be told, she rather regretted than rejoiced at and a sad parting from her Indian friends. Where Lilian and Eva saw welcome faces and a thousand fascinations in the haunts of civ ilization", she beheld nothing but the jold O ( t gaze of strangers and the gossiping specu lations of the worldly-minded. She wa beautiful and fascinating in her personal appearance refined, polished, and grace ful in her manners but withal, sc exces sively modest as to underrate her own Oity was not without its attractions. Of I powers,' and fancy herself an awkward the settlers, many were young people, who had been well brought up in the East, and their had come hither to try They did not believe in renouncing iheir former amusement fortunes, all forest maiden, unfitted for the society in which she was destined more or less to mingle. Both Charles and I, as also the others, ever strove to eradicate this un pleasant impression, and we in part, suc ceeded. But still she was diffident, sobei minded, and without a particle of that en thusiasm so strongly manifested by he sister and Lilian. The Indian companions of Evaline had remained in the village through the win ter, and by their quiet, unobtrusive man ners, their steady, upright mode of life so different from the drunken, brawling natives of the neighboring tribes, who oc casionally visited the village had won the respect and regard of the citizens, and, in fact, become decided favorites with all While the former were sought for, the lat ter were shunned ; and the widest distinc tion in all cases was ever drawn between the Wahsochees and their red brethren of other nations. But notwithstanding this partiality, the Wahsochees were evidently not contented in their present situation. To them, civilized customs had less attrac tion than the more rude and simple ones nnd as there were many here who de- j of their own tribe ; and they were now sjo-ned going East- -some "to procure goods, | anxious to depart and join their friends. some to remain, and others, who had come hure in advance, to bring on their fr.mi- lj t . s we decided to join them, and thus journey in comparative security. Great was the delight of Lilian and Eva, as the, time drew near for our departure. in fact, toward the last, they could think and in conse quence, gay parties, festivities, and balls succeeded one another in rapid succession. To these myself and friends were always invited, and a number of them we at tended. They were rude in comparison to some in older settlements, it is true ; but being in general conducted with great propriety, often proved very agreeable pas times, and enlivened the otherwise rather dull monotony of the village. As spring advanced, we began gradu ally to prepare for our journey. The real estate previously purchased by Mrs. Hunt- ly, was readily sold for cash, and the re ceipts doubled the purchase money. As we designed taking nothing with us but what was absolutely necessary, the furni ture of both Mrs. Huntly and Madame Mortimer was also disposed of possession to be given so soon as the premises should be vacated. As our party of itself was not strong, It was arranged that all should proceed in company as far as Fort Laramie, whence Evaline could either accompany the In dians home, or let them go in advance to herald her approach, as circumstances might determine. In enumerating the different personage* of nothing, talk of nothing, but the pl:a- who have tigured in this narrative. I nm* ADVENTURES IN* THE FAR WEST 9,1 not forget Teddy. For the last five or six months' he had been in his glory ; and be- . twe^n taking rare of our horses, spinning , long yarns to the villagers, (whom, by the way, he ever succeeded in astonishing,) , and making love to Molly Stubbs, he had, as the phrase goes, had "his hands full." Of his success in the last, I must let the reader judge by the following colloquy, which took" place between us a week or jo previous to the time fixed on for our departure. Approaching me with a rather timid step, hat in hand, and making a low obeisance, he said : " The top of the morning to your hon or." " The same to you, Teddy." "Sure, your honor (a pause and a rapid twirl* of the hat) sure, and is it < thrue ye're after taking yoursilf and frinds I from these diggins (us the spalpeens call the likes) in a "week for that mather ? " " All true, Teddy, nothing unforeseen preventing." " Troth ! and ye '11 be missed from this counthry when the likes of that hap pens." " I trust so, Teddy." Another pause, another twirl of the hat, find a scratching of the head. After some Hesitation " Sure, and it 's me own mother's son, Teddy O'Lagherty, as 'ud like to be axing yees a question ? " "Well, Teddy, say on!' " Faith ! and it 's mesilf as has been long in your honor's sarvice, now." " Some three or four years, I believe, off and on." "And it's not a bether masther I'd iver want, no it isn't." -Well?" "But ye ' a-going home, HOW, and maybe does n't care for the likes of me inny longer ? " " I see : you wish to be discharged ? " Another twirl of the hat and scratch of the head. "Why, now, your honor no offence at 11 but but to spaak the thruth, and make a claan breast of it, it's that same I'd ay ther be axing for, or doubling the wvice, jist." " Doubling the service, Teddy. 2 I do not understand you. You mean I must double your wages, eh ? " "Will, it's not exactly that butbut but ye sae (Here the hat fell to the ground, and Teddy made an unsuccessful etl'ort to recover it,) " Murther take the luck, but I '11 say it now if I dies for it betimes ! Ye sae, your honor, I 've axed Molly, and it 's all settled, and there'* a-going to be the pair of us, barring that the two counts one Scripter-wise." " So, so I understand now you are about to be married to Molly ? " " Why, yes, I may say that's the short way of saying the likes, your honor." " Exactly ; and unless I wish to employ you both, you desire to quit my service ? " "Troth! and your honor's a gintleman at guessing." " Well, Teddy, as I have no use for Molly at this time, I will give you an hon orable discharge, and a handsome wee ding present for your valuable services besides." " God bless ye for a gintleman, ivery inch of yees ! and it's mesilf as'll niver forgit ye in me prayers," was the warm hearted response, as, grasping my hand, he shook it heartily, while his eyes filled with joyful tears. " God bless ye for a noble heart ! " he added, as he turned away to communicate his success to her with whom his fortune was about to be linked. Suffice it here, that I kept my word with Teddy, who had no reason to regret having entered my service and secured my esteem. The long wished for day of our depart ure came at last, and being one of the brightest and most pleasant of the season, was hailed with delight as an omen of prosperity. Everything having been pre viously arranged, there was little to do but take leave of those who remained ; and this being soon over, we were on the move at an early hour, a goodly company of thirty souls, two-thirds of whom were of the sterner sex. As much of importance is yet to be told, and as the reader has once or twice fol lowed me over the ground now traversed, I will not trouble him with a detail of our journey from Oregon City to Fort Laramin Suffice, that we reached the latter place in safety, though much fatigued, about thi L E N 1 L E T I ; OR, middle of July, Anno Domini 1844, and | some four years subsequent to my former vi*it lii-re, when 1 first beheld (he beauti ful Pniirie Flower, otherwise Leni Leoti, now Kvaline Mortimer, and soon to be Bat let me not anticipate. CHAPTER XXII. A JO11RNKV TO THE BLACK HILLS CAMP SLIGHT ALARM SLEEPLESS NIGHT MEB:T- INO WITH THE TRIBE JOV ANB SORROW THE FINAL FAREWELL A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE THE PROPOSED RIDE A KEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED UNHEED ED FOREBODINGS. To the great delight of Evaline, as well ns those who sympathized with her, it was ascertained soon after our arrival at the fort, that some of the Mysterious Tribe had been seen quite recently in the vicinity ; from which we drew the conclusion, that they were still at their winter quarters on the Black Hills. It being Evaline's desire to see them as soon as possible, it was finally arranged that her sister, Lilian, Charles and myself should bear her com pany, along with her Indian Friends, while her mother and Mrs. Huntiy should await our return at the fort. On learning our determination some five or six of the party with whom we had crossed the mountains, volunteered to go with us a favor which we gladly accepted, as this would strength en our party, and render us less liable to attack, should we chance upon hostile savages. The rest of the company, after remaining over night at the fort, being anxious to proceed, bade us adieu, and resumed their journey on the morning- following. Before starting for "the Black Hills, we procured a couple of tents for the females, which we packed on mules, and then, mounting each on a good horse, with ah the necessary equipments for defense, we Bet forth on the second day at an early hour. For a number of miles we made rapid progress, but at length came to a stream, whose curi^nt being swift an. banks precipitous, delayed us some time in seeking a place to ford. This crossed, we soon came to another where a similar delay awaited us. In short, our proi>-re*s was so many times checked through th< day, that when night at last began to draw her sable curtains, we found, to the best of our judgment, that hardly two-thirds of our jo.urney had been gone over. Selecting a pleasant spot, we pitched our tents, liberated our animals and en camped. An hour or two was passed in a very agreeable manner, when the females, who appeared more fatigued than we ol the sterner sex, withdrew to their quarters, leaving the rest of us squatted around a large fire, which we had started, not to warm ourselves by, for it was a sultry July night, but to keep off the wild ani mals, of whose proximity we were several times reminded by dismal howls. A couple of hours preceding midnight, our animals were driven in and picketed, and a guard set, more from caution than apprehension of danger. This done, the remainder of the party stretched them selves around the tire, and, with the ex ception of my friend and I, were soon in the enjoyment of that sweetest of all bless ings, a sound and healthful sleep. For some time I lay musing on the singular events of my life, and then turned to Huntiy. "Well, Charley," said I, "this seems like old times." "So I have been thinking," he rejoined, "with one exception, Frank." " The ladies, eh ? " "Exactly. I trust nothing may occur to make us regret their presence," he add ed, seriously. " You and I have faced danger too often to fear it for our own sakes but if anything should happen now " " Surely you do not dream of danger here ? " I interrupted. " Why, to tell you the truth, Frank," he replied, " I have my misgivings that we shall see trouble ere we again reach the fort." " God forbid ! What makes you think so?" " I can give no reason. It is simply 9 presentiment of evil." ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. " But from what source do you appre hend danger?" " From no particular one, Frank." " Merely a fancy of yours, probably, tpringing "from your intense interest in those^more dear to you than life." " God send it be only fancy ! " he re joined, gloomily. His words made me sad, and, added to the restlessness I had previously felt, kept me awake a long time. At last I fell into u feverish slumber, and was gradually pro- grossing toward a state of utcer-forgetful- ness, when a snorting and stamping of the animals aroused me, and together with Huntly I sprang to my feet in alarm. "What is it?" I cried to the guard, whom 1 found standing near me, pale as death, with his rifle pointed in the direction whence came the disturbance. " I do not know," he answered ; " this is the first I have heard. Shall I give the alarm ? " " No ! remain quiet a moment where you are, and I will steal in among the animals and ascertain the cause. I do not think it proceeds from savages, or we should have had an onset ere this." " What then, Frank ? " asked Huntly, taking his position by the tents, rifle in hand. " Most likely some wild beast, which, urged on by hunger, has ventured a little nearer than usual." My conjecture this time proved correct ; for on cautiously approaching the fright ened animals, I discovered a small wolf in the act of gnawing a tether rope of buffalo hide. I could have shot him from where I stood ; but this I did not care to do, as it would only create unnecessary alarm. Retreating a few paces and select ing a good sized club, I informed the guard and Huntly there was no cause for alarm, and returning with a stealthy pace, got $lose to the hungry beast without making him aware of my presence. His head was frum me, and he was eagerly engaged in getting a morsel to eke out a half-famished existence. I believe I could have killed the poor creature with a single blow, arid raised my club for the purpose ; but pity gained power over my resolution, and J gave him only a gentle tap, which rather Bc.'ired than hurt him, and he ran away howling. This little incident, though nothing in itself, tended so to increase the nervous ness of both Huntly and myself, that we did not fall soundly asleep till the first sign of daybreak streamed up golden in the east. An hour later we were all on our feet, and having partaken a slight repast, and laughed over our fears of the departed night, we mounted our horses and again proceeded on our journey. No more delays occurred, and ere the sun gained the meridian, we came in sight of the village, when our Indian compan ions, unable to restrain themselves loifger, uttered shouts of delight, and darted away in advance of us. I turned to Evaline, and beheld her seated quietly on her little pony, her gaze rivetted upon the village, but apparently laboring under no excite ment. A closer scrutiny convinced me I was mistaken. There was little outward display of her feelings ; but I perceived in her ashen cheeks and absent stare, that thoughts, mighty in their power, were stirring the soul within. For a short time she seemed unconscious of anything around her, and it was not until Eva had address ed her thrice that she received an answer to lier question : " Is this the spot, sister?" On the second repetition. Evaline start ed, turned to the fair querist and sighed: " This is the spot." Then covering her face with her hands, she remained silent until addressed again. " Why are you so sad, Evalinu ? " inquired Lilian. " Ay, sister, tell us ! " added Eva. "I am thinking of the past and the fu ture," was the answer, in a low, tremulous tone. " Oh, my friends !" she continued, "you cannot know my feelings. I am about to bid farewell to those who have been to me as brothers and sisters. 1 am about to leave to see them no more to go far away to the land of the stranger. True, you will say, I go not alone ; i .shall have with me a kind mother and sisti-i , and other dear friends ; but still you know not what it is to suddenly and utterly tear yourself away from old ties and old asso ciations. You know not the fascii in lions of the wilderness, to one who, like urn- ..-If, has never known aught else. Even dan ger has a charm to those who are In ed to LEN1 LEOT1; OR, t ; and it is hard, with all the inducements efore me, to break the spell of unlimited freedom with which I have roamed over thousands of miles of uncultivated terri tory. But I feel it my duty to go with you. I cannot think of parting from my dear mother again in lite. As she has suggested, the tie binding me to her I ac knowledge to be stronger than that of mere association. " And have you no other inducement to part from the Mysterious Tribe ? " asked Huntly, a little reproachfully. Evaline looked up, her eye met his, a ilight flush colored her pale features, and franklv taking lu's hand, she replied, in a meet, timid voice : " Yes, dear Charles, there is more than one." ' " God bless you, Evaline ! " was the hearty response. " We will all strive to make you happy ; and in the joy of the future, you will ere long forget the past." "Forget, say you?" she repeated, Iookin4 earnestly in his face. " Forget the past?" forget my old friends? Nay," she continued, "you know not yet the heart of Prairie Flower, if you think she can ever forget." " No, no, not exactly forget," re turned Huntly, endeavoring to recover from his mistake : " Not exactly forget : I do not mean that, Evaline but rather that you will cease to regret this change of life." "Perhaps so," she sighed. "See!" I exclaimed, "the Indians have nearly gained the village, and the in habitants are already flocking down the hill to meet them. Let us quicken our pace;" and galloping forward, we soon drew n'in in the center of the crowd. " Leni Leoii ! " " Prairie Flower ! " was the universal cry on every hand, as Eva- line leaped from her saddle arid sprang to the embrace of her Indian friends, who pressed around her as children around a parent old and youngmen, women and children each eager to be tirst to greet her with a hearty welcome. For some time the rest of us remained wholly unno ticed. At length, the first joyful excite ment over, Evaline pointed to us, and bade the Indians give us welcome, which they jjji] in a hearty manner, Approaching Eva, Evaline took Lei by the hand and said : " In this lady, my friends, you behold the sister of Prairie Flower." " Another Prairie Flower ! " "Another i Leni Leoti!" was the almost simultane ous exclamation ; and instantly collecting around, they gazed upon her in surprise, and began talking to each other in their own dialect. Then, one after another, they approached and took her hand, and said, in broken English, that they were most happy to see her, and that she was ; welcome, as the sister of Prairie Flower, ' to a share in all they possessed. This re ception over, they invited us to the village, 1 where everything in their power was done | to make us comfortable and contented. j Our animals were taken in charge and liberated, and three or four lodges assigned us during our stay among them. On learning that Evaline had only re turned to bid them a final farewell, the Wahsochees one and all became very sad, and a gloom pervaded the village, as on the funeral day of one universally beloved. The women and children wept at the thought, and some of them begged of her ! in piteous tones not to leave them. Eva- line could not witness these sincere mani festations of lasting affection unmoved, arid i in consequence her eyes were continually 1 j tilled with tears. As it had been arranged ! that we should leave on the following morn ing, flie was kept busy through the day in making preparations therefor. Her cos tume for different occasions, which had been procured for her by Great Medicine, j and which she had preserved with great I care, together with sundry other articles and trinkets, some of which she had pur chased in Oregon City and brought with her, she now proceeded to distribute one by one, giving something to each as a re membrance. This occupied her time and attention till night, when a conference of the nation was called, to which none of our party save Evaline was admitted. This conference lasted till midnight, and loua before it broke up, 1, as well as most of my companions, was sound asleep. At an early hour in the morning, our horses were caught and saddled, our twe mules packed, and everything prepared for our iuimedi ite departure. Evaliae vvai ADVENTURES IN THE FAR vVEST. nlent and sad, and her features showed traces of having passed a feverish, restless night. Thinking- she might feel a diffi dence in having us present at her last in terview, I approached her and said : " Evaline, the time has come to take our final leave." " I know it," she faltered. " As there are some strangers in our party, perhaps it were better, all things considered, that we should go on before, and await your coming at a proper dis tance ? " " Thank you ! " she replied ; " the very favor I would have asked, had I dared." " It shall be so. There is little hill you see yonder, somewhat out of the direct course to the fort, whither we will ride, merely for the view it affords of the prairie beyond, and there remain till you join us." She again expressed her thanks, and I returned to the others and informed them of the new arrangement. We then pro ceeded to shake hands with each of the tribe, which occupied us some ten minutes, and mounting our horses, rode slowly away down the mountain, crossed the little ttreamlet, and galloped over a short level to the hill in question, on whose summit we came to a halt as preconcerted. It was a warm day, and the sun, about an hour above the horizon, streamed down his golden, mellow rays, beautifying each object, by giving it that soft and dreamy appearance, which, in the poetic mind, awakens those sweet fancies that fill the eoul with holy meditation and make earth seem a paradise. A heavy dew had fallen during the night, and its crystalline drops, Etill hanging on leaf, blade, arid flower, sparkled in the looming sunbeams like so many diamonds. Above us gay plumaged birds flittered frcm branch to branch, and poured forth their moniing carols in a va riety of strains, or flapping their wings, darted up and away through the deep blue etlier. Around and about us bees, beetles and insects of divers kinds were buzzing or basking in the sunlight, now dipping into the flower to sip its sweets, now alight ing on the leaf to take a dainty morsel, now p'unging to ihe ground with no ap parent design, and then each and all up and .away, tilling the air with a drowsy, pleasing hum, Not the least enchanting jf all was the beautiful landscape that here lay spread to our new. Behind us was the little valley we had just crossed over, carpeted with green and variegated with bright flowers, through which wound a silvery streamlet, and beyond which, like some mighty bar rier, the Black Hills lifted their heads far heavenward. To the right and left, at some little distance, was a wood, over the top of which loomed hills one -above an other, but gradually retreating, till the last one, far, far in the distance, either showed the flt-ecy-like palace of eternal snow, or gently blended with the cerulean blue. But before us was the scene which fixed our whole attention. Here, for miles upon miles, stretched away a vast prairie, whose tail, r:\nk grass, gently touched by a light breeze, undulated like the swelling of the sea in a calm, over which fluttered and hoverod myriads of birds and insects, now dipping- down, skimming along the surface and disappearing altogether, or soaring up ward, cleaving the balmy air, and display ing their little bodies as mere specks upon the blue background. To relieve the mo notony otherwise attendant, here and there, at long intervals, rose little knolls, clus tered with trees, resembling islands push ing up from the glassy surface of a tranquil ocean. And away, and away, and away to the dim distance stretched this same sea- like prairie, till the eye, unable to trace it farther, saw nothing but the soft blending of earth and sky. For some moments we all remained si lent, gazing upon the scene with feelings peculiar to each. Lilian was the first to speak : "O, how beautiful ! " she exclaimed, rap turously. " How beautiful and how sub lime is this great ocean of earth ! " " Ay, sublime indeed ! " rejoined Eva. "It is just such a scene as ever fills me with rapture inspires me with the sacred feeling of poesy. 0, that like one of those gay birds, I could wing my way above it ! Would it not be delightful, Lilian ? " " Charming ! " answered the other. ' ' But can we not skim its surface on out fleet steeds ? Come ! for a ride ! a ride I What say you, gentleman ?" she added, appealing to us. "So pleasant a request, from so fair a LEN1 LEOTI; OR, petitioner, must nex;ds be complied with," returned one of the party, gallantly, bow ing gracefully to Eva. The speaker was a young man, some twenty- Jive years of aye, of fine person and good address, with a handsome and prepossessing countenance, whereon was legibly stamped frankness, generosity and nobleness of soul . There was an eloquence in his soft, dark eye, and a loftiness o r " purpose on his clear, open brow, which woxild have ranked him far above the herd, had even a finished education, of which he was possessed, been wanting. To be brief in any remarks, he was the only son of one of the merchants who had emigrated from the State of New York to Oregon City du ring the previous summer, and one of the party who had so far been our companions of the long journey. He was now on his way East, to arrange some unsettled affairs and purchase more goods for his father, with the design of returning to Oregon the following season. During the past winter, Elmer Fitzgerald (so he was named) had once or twice met with Eva Mortimer ; but 20 acquaintance had been formed with each other previous to both parties setting forth on the present journey, where, being daily and hourly thrown together, sharing alike the hardships and perils of the wilderness, it was but natural, that between two such individuals of refined manners and culti vated tastes, there should gradually spring up an intimacy, which time and circum stances might ripen to something more. But, as I have said before, let me not an ticipate. As Elmer spoke, I noted that both his own and the countenance of Eva slightly flushed, and quickly turning to me, the lat ter said : " And what say you, Francis ? " " I shall echo the words of Mr. Fitz gerald." "Then we will go!" said Lilian, joy fully. " But brother," she added, turning to Charles, " you appear gloomy, and de jected. Do you object to this arrange ment ? " " Why, to speak candidly," he answered *eriously, " I do." " For what reason ? " I inquired. I can give you no other than what I told ruu last night a presentiment of danger." " Pshaw ! Charley," I rejoined, "there is no danger here. The sadness of Eva- line has made you gloomy, and a brisk nue over this prairie will set you right again." " And it will be beneficial to dear sister Evaline also," chimed in Eva, " by divert ing her thoughts from her present cause of _ " Suit yourselves in the matter," rejoin ed Huntly. " I shall of course do as the rest. I merely spoke my apprehensions, which, after all, may only be foolish fan cies." " Lo ! yonder Evaline comes!" cried Lilian ; and looking toward the village, a part of which was visible from where w stood, we beheld her rapidly descending the mountain on her little pony. Charles instantly wheeled his horse ami rode away to meet her, and presently re turned in her company. She was sad and silent, and her eyes were red with weep ing, while her features generally, showed traces of having recently passed through a very trying scene. On being informed of our present de sign, she silently acquiesced ; and iibern- ting our mules, that they might not suffer in our absence, we rode slowly down to the prairie, and set off at a gallop, most of ui in gay spirits, with the understanding that, in case we became separated, we should all meet again at the starting point. Man plans and God performs. That meeting, for some of the party, was des tined never to take place. CHAPTER XXIII. A MERRY RIDE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL VIEW AN EXCITING HACK SEPARATION THB CONTEST DECIDED ALARM THE FRAIKIB ON FIRE FLIGHT TERRIBLE CONFLA GRATION APPALLING STRUGGLE HOR RIBLE SCENE LIFE AND DEATH. FOR an hour or two we spurred on to the eastward, in company, through the tul) grass, which brushe-l our feet at every step, ADVENTURES II\ THE FAR WEST and made our horses labor exceedingly, when we came to one of the small hills or knolls previously mentioned, where we baited to give our panting and foaming iteecis a few minutes' rest. This knoll was clustered with beautiful trees, under whose refreshing shade bubbled up a spring of clear, cold water, wherewith we first refreshed ourselves and then our horses. From the brow of this, the view of every thing was more delightful than from that of the one we had left behind us. Then we were looking on the prairie only in one or two directions now we stood above and surveyed it on all sides. To the north of us was a small ridge, in shape resem bling an ox-bow, the southern bend of which was about five miles distant. This, after running due north for a considerable distance, appeared to tnke a zig-zag course and unite with the Black Hills, which, sublime in their grandeur, bounded the view to the west. To the south and east, as far as the eye could penetrate, stretch ed away and away the beautiful prairie, with nothing to relieve its monotony but an occasional knoll like the one whereon we stood, and which forcibly reminded me of the oases I had seen in the great desert. " O, this is delightful enchanting!" exclaimed Eva, with a flush of animation. " This is what I love. It expands the soul, and bears one above the groveling thoughts of every day life. Nature !" she added, apostrophizing, " I love thee in thy gran deur and thy simplicity ! and know, as I gaze upon thee, that I behold the handi work of that Great Power above, which regulates alike the mighty systems of ten j thousand tunes ten thousand worlds, and j tle most trifling event that takes place upon them. All alike move by a univer sal and immutable law; and each, its it were, complete in itself, is but a minor | branch of that great machine which works for one almighty and incomprehensible de sign. Were I a poet that could pen my thoughts, I would seek such a place as this, and alone, away from the discords of my fellow beiags, write such inspiring words, that ages yet to come should read and wouder over my pages, and call them the result of a holy inspiration." "Ay, sister," cried Evaline, " thus have I felt a thousand times ; and thus it is i. comes so hard for me to part from these enrapturing scenes. Now can you blame me for my regrets ? " "No, sweet sister," answered the other, " I do not blame you far from it. I only feel you are a gem too rare to part with." "And so think we all," I rejoined ; "and one of us at least, if I may be permitted the expression, thinks doubly so;" and I glanced at my friend. " Ay, Frank," he answered, " treble that if you like. But come, my friends, the day is advancing hud we not better re turn ? They will look anxiously for us at the fort." " One ride more first," said Eva, quick Iy. " I cannot bear to quit this scene for ever, without one more glorious ride." " Whither shall it be, then ? " asked Lilian. " To yonder knoll ;" and she pointed away to the eastward. " That is far," rejoined Huntly, " and I fear we shall not get back till night, and the day will be lost." " Lost ? " echoed Eva, her eyes sparkling with animation. " Call you such a day as this lost? Come, gentlemen," she added, turning to the rest of us, " you do not think so, I'll wager ! On ! let us on ! I dare you to a race ! and my glove to him whc first puts foot on yonder hill in advance ot me." So '-aying, ghe gracefully waved her hand, and tightening her rein, pressed her tiery steed down the declivity and over the prairie at headlong speed. " A race ! a race ! The glove ! the glove ! " cried some half a dozen voices, and instantly the whole party was in com motion. Those who chanced to be dismounted, at once sprang to their saddles, and all dashed away after their fair champion, who, sitting erect, with the air of a queen, was now urging her gallant beast to do hit utmost. Next behind Eva rode Elmer Fitzgerald. striving hard to evertake her, followed by Lilian, myself, and the rest of the party, some in couples and others alone, eacfc and all contending to be lirst at the far u(T goal. I say all, but I must except Charle* and Evaline, who brought up the rear at * 100 LEWI LEOT1; OR, tardy pace, and Deemed ratlier deliberately following us without excitement and inter est, than taking any part in the race. With the balance of us, for the first five minutes, the contest appeared equal- neither gaining ground on the party, nor falling away from the position he had ta ken at the setting-out. All was life and excitement ; and merry shouts and gay justs rang out, as on we pressed our pant ing steeds through the tall grass, startling thousands of smaJl animals from their quiet retreats, and scaring up (locks of birds, which, as they soared away, twittered their discontent, and looked down upon us wiih wonder and fear. On, on we rushed, com pletely lost in the enlivening chase, and heeding nought but the still distant ffoal we were striving to gain. On, on ! still oil ! with the tire of youthful ambition urging us to renewed exertions. At length the difference in the speed of our horses began to be seen. Eva yet kept her position in advance, but was grad ually losing ground before the fleeter steed of Elmer Fitzgerald. Lilian and I, side by side, still managed to hold our own, and were gaining on all the others, who were now strung out in a long single line behind. Half an hour passed, and the change in our previous positions became more dis tinctly marked. Elmer now rode head-to- head with our fair leader, but both had increased the distance between themselves and us materially. I looked back, and beheld the line stretched out fur more than a mile, far beyond which I could dimly discern my friend and Evaline slowly bringing up the rear. Most of the party had by this time despaired of winning the race, had even withdrawn from the con test, and were now following at a leisure pace. A few yet held on, but only for a few minutes, when they took pattern by the others, and we were lefi masters of the field. For another quarter of an hour we push ed on with vigor, when the panting of our foaming steeds warned us to check them. Elmer and Eva were the first to take this precaution, and on our coming up to them, the latter said : " I suppose as we have distanced all the Others, there will not be much strife be- I tween us. At all events, we must not kit onr horses, and tliey are already prcttj well blown. How much was I deceived in the distance ! When I proposed this race, I had no idea there were more than five miles -between point and point; and yet some eight or ten miles, if I greatly ert not in judgment, have been gone over, and yonder hill is still miles ahead." " Distance on level ground, from an ele vated point, is always deceiving, " I an swered. " But come ! I do not see the necessity of going farther. Give your companion the glove, for I acknowledge him winner, and let us return." " Pray, take Mr. Leigh ton's advice, Miss Mortimer! " urged Fitzgerald ; " for it is a long distance to where we left our mules, and our horses witt suffer enough at the best." " Ay, ay, modest sir?" exclaimed Eva, with a ringing laugh. "I understand. You wish to be acknowledged! victor, be fore you have won. By my faith, sir, I had thought you possessed of more spi:!? than that. I am willing to return forthr.t matter ; but I cannot yield the glove until the conditions on which it was offered ar complied with." " Then the glove shall KJ mine, if 1 have to make the remainder of the jour ney alone ! " cried Elmer. " Do not flutter yourself, Miss Mortimer, that I have ej- erted myself thus far for nothing. The prize I must have ; I insist upon it ; and it remains for you to say " " Good heavens ! what is that?" ex claimed Lilian, interrupting the other, and* pointing toward the south. We all turned our eyes in the direction indicated, and beheld, stretching along th horizon, what appeared to be a dense, black, rolling cloud. " A heavy thunder storm is approach ing," said Fitzgerald in reply, " and we stand a fair chance of being thoroughly drenched." " I think you are mistaken," rejoined I ; " for I have never seen a cloud ol such singular appearance. See ! how it gradually creeps away to the right and left?" " And there are bright flashes, too ! " exclaimed Eva, breathless with excitement. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 101 " What is I. .' what is it ? " cried Lilian, grasping my arm with a trembling hand, and gazing upon the scene with a pale, terrified look. " It is not a cloud it can- no* ~e A cloud it is something more aw ful. See ! see ! how fast it spreads ! And there ! there ! mark you those Hashes ? " Suddenly the who'e horrible truth flash ed upon me, and for the moment held me dumb with terror. " You are pair, with alarm !" pursued Iii Han, turning to me and no, ing the ago nized expression of my countenance. "Speak, Francis ! what is it '?" scream ed Eva. "Merciful God ! " I gasped, " the prairie is on lire ! We are iosi our doom is tailed ! " " Lost ! " slmeh"d Lilian and Eva. " Oh, God ! is there no escape ? '' add ed the latter, wildly. " We must we must escape ! " "Flight flight alone can save us!" ahouted Fitzgerald. " Perchance we may reach yonder hill. It is our only hope." As he spoke, he spurred his steed, struck Eva's with his bridle rein, and away bounded both with all the speed in their power. " Follow ! ' cried I to Lilian, imitating the example of the other, and in the wild excitement of the moment, completely losing all my wonted presence of mind. " Follow hard strain every nerve and (rod vouchsafe us victon ! " It was no longer a race of pleasure, but one of fearful agony our lives the stake, and heavy odds ag-ainst us. Can 1 describe it, reader ? describe our feelings in those awful moments of horrible suspense ? No ! '{ is beyond the strength of the pen the power of language arid must be left to /our imagination. Four miles, at the least four long and seemingly interminable ir.Met; intervene between us and our c'eslinalion. Cau we reach it? We have bm littk- hope. On, on we urge, with whip and spur, our al ready drooping horses--and on, on comes thi; mighty destroyer, ru if sent f.u execute the loag pent up vengeance of r<\\ offended God. Away to the east, and away to ;he west. and rushing toward the north, with the fury of a devastating tornado, comes this terrific Avenger, sweeping all in ins course, making all black and desolate which a fei minutes since had seemed so lovely, roll ing up to the very dome of Heaven his huge volumes of smoke, of gigantic and hideous shapes, with red sheets of flame issuing from its appalling blackness, as they were the burning tongues and eyes of hell's unchained demons, so shaped by our wild and distorted imaginations. On, on ! how our horses snort, and foam, and tremble ! They have caught our fears, and are doing their utmost to save us and themselves. On, on, on! two miles, thank God ! are parsed but, alas ! there are two more before us, and our gallant beasts are already beginning to falter with fatigue. On, on ! behold our terrible foe advance ! his iu'ry banners streaming up brighter, redder and more bright as he nears us his ten thousand scorching and blasting tongues, hissing, roaring and de stroying every living thing that comes within their reach. Oh ! how sublime -how awfully sub lime this spectacle ! on which we rivet our fascinated eyes, while our hearts leap to our throats, and our lips are compressed : with an indescribable fear. Now listen to those apparently unearth ly sounds ! The prairie is alive with mil lions of voices, which fancy would give to the fiery tongues of this rushing Monster, as the cheering song of his death-dealing advance but which stern reality tells us are the frantic cries of droves and herds of wild animals, of all species, mad with affright, all pressing forward together, pell- meil, to escape one common, but ever conquering enemy. Look yonder ! There goes a stampede of buffalo. Yonder ! Another of wild .horses. How they tear ahead, with foam ing mouths, expanded nostrils, dilated eyes, ahd a tread that makes the very earth tremble beneath them ! Look closer nearer ! Here here they come ! above us, before us, behind us, beneath us on all and every side birds, beasts, reptiles and insects. How they dart past us now wirh lolling tongues, and fiorjr eyes half starting from their sockets, en tangling the very legs of our horses, and j causing them to rear, and plunge, and i snort, and shriek with appalling terror \ 10* UENI LEOTI; OR, Hero are wolves, and wolverines, and rabbits, and boars, and serpents each and all howling, shrieking, and hissing their fears. God of heavens ! what a scene ! On, on, for our only hope ! Another pjile is passed : oh ! that it were another the last ! We near the haven of our safety ( 1 an we shall we ever reach it ? Behold the Destroyer, where lie comes ! L'p, up to the mid heaven now rolls the smoke of his conquest ! and the sun grows dark behind it, as he were mourning for the destruction he is forced to look upon. Hark ! what sound is that ! that roar ing sound ! It is the voice of the Fire- Spirit, as he were mocking our hopes. Must we die now, wiih safety almost within our grasp ? Why do our horses stagger and reel ? Have they not strength for this last eiTort ! See ! we are almost saved. Yon hill looms up invitingly be fore us. Oh ! for strength of another five minute's duration ! Five minutes only five an eternity to us ! Ha ! (-he dense smoke is lowering upon us, and we shall be suffocated ! No ! thai, breeze drives it back. All thanks to God for that ! There is still hope. On, on ! still on ! How swift is the flame, and how tardy our horses ! They have no spirit, seemingly. They only creep and crawl liLe snails. My fortune all, to hold out another two minutes. Ha ! God help us now ! Lilian's steed reels -totters stumbles falls! She is down. 1 hear her shriek for help. How strangely that shriek mingles with the roaring and crackling of this great prairie fire ! Now on my feet 1 seize her hand. Now my hor.se .staggers under a double Wright. lint he is a gallant, beast ; and plunging forward, with a dying effort, falls at the base of the knoll, which Elmer and Eva had gained in advance of us. One desperate effort more, and Lilian, all un conscious of fear and danger, is borne in my arms into a dense thicket, where I sink upon the earth, and, half stifled with smoke, amid the roaring of a mighty con- lUgration, thank God its Humes can neither reach me nor the being I love. CHAPTEH XXIV. THE MEETING ALARM FOR OUIt FR'EXDS A SCtNIi OF DESOLATION TERRIBLE SUS PENSE REGRETS PRISONERS FOR A DAT A NIGHT OF HORROR A GOLDEN MOR OVR STEPS RETRACED HIDEOUS SPEC TACLES OUR WORST FEARS SEEMING) I CONFIRMED JOY AT LAST. No tongue can portray my feelings, m^ deep emotions of gratitude to the All-wise Preserver, as, with the still unconscious Lilian reposing in my arms, I remained motionless a Minute, enveloped in a pall of smoky darkness, listening to the roar of the awful flumes, that surged around and onward, scorching the green leaves and grass \vithin a few feet, but leaving me unharmed. Once, fur a moment, when the smoke settled in so thick that day be came night, and the air too much heated for respiration, I fancied we might die ol suffocation. But it was only for a mo ment. A draught of wind revived mo, and lifted the smoke, which rolled away ir mighty masses, after its master spirit, the devouring ek'ment ; while day-light Mgain streaming in through the interwoven branches of this beautiful retreat, marie my heart bound with rapture at our safe deliverance. Lilian now opened her eyes, and for nn instant gazed upon me with a bewildered expression. I strained her to my heart, pressed my lips to hers, and whispered : " We are saved, dearest." " Saved '? " she echoed: " Saved ? Then it was not a horrible tin-am, but a frightful ly-hideous realily, at the thought of which the soul sickens and grows faint?" " All that language has power to depict of the awful, it was, and ten times more." 1 "Lilian! Franris ! " now called the voice of Eva ; ami springing through the bushes, accompanied by Elmer, she rushed up to the former, threw her arms around her neck, and each wept tears of joy in the other's embrace. " P)Ut Evaline and Charles what of them ? " cried Eva, looking up, paid witfc alarm. ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST 103 " Gracious God ! " shouted I, " what of ibem indeed ! " for in the frantic bewilder ment of the last few minutes, till thought of everything but escape from death, had been driven from my mind. "' Perchance they have perished ! Great God ! what a thought ! To the brow of the hill let us speed at once ! " As 1 spoke, we all rushed up the ac clivity, and soon gained a point whence we could gaze upon the desolated scene. What a fearful change a few minutes had wrought ! Where, a short time since, all was life and beauty the tall grass softly undulating to the light-winged zephyr we now beheld only a black, smoking, dis mal waste, without a sign of living thing to relieve its gloom. The fire had passed us entirely ; but away to the east, to the north, and the 'west, spread a dense cloud of rolling smoke, amid which we could perceive the lurid flashes of the death- dealing victor, as on, on he sped, seeking new victims to feed his insatiable maw. Here and there, in every direction on his smoking trail, were strewn the blackened carcasses of such animals as had been overtaken in their flight. At the foot of the hill whereon we stood, in the exact spot where he had fallen, lay the remains of the gallant beast which had borne me through so many perils, and which, at the very last, had saved my life at the expense of his own. A few rods farther on was the one Lilian had ridden, now an ungainly mass of charred flesh. Altogether, it was an appalling scene of desolation, that made the heart sick to look upon. All these things I took in at a glance, but without dwelling upon them for a mo ment. One wild, maddening thought alone occupied my brain. My friend and Eva- line were they lost or saved ? What a torturing uncertainty, where nothing could O ,* ^ be known ! 1 strained my eyes, and vain ly trove to penelrate the. sable vail which curtained the view to the west. All there was wrapped in the frightful gloom of impenetrable darkness. Perchance they udght be living, but even now in the ago nies of a most terrible death! and 1 groaned, and shuddered, and felt my brain grow dizzy and nay heart sicken at the bare possibility. For some minutes we all stood and stared as if rooted to the spot, pale and speech less with the agony of suspense. At length the smoke began to clear away between us and the point from whence we had set out for the race. Alas ! it brought no hope, but rather despair. All, as else where, was black and lifeless, and we felt our doubts removed by the worst of cr- tainties. " Oh, fatal day ! " cried Eva, wringing her hands ; " and most fatal adventure ! Oh, God ! my sister and friend lost ! and all through my rashness. Strong-headed and giddy, I would not heed his forebod ing counsels, but madly rushed away, dragging him to his own death. May God in his mercy forgive me ! for I can never forgive myself. Never no, never shall I be happy again." " Nay, dearest Eva," said Lilian, consol ingly, twining her arms around the other's neck: " Nay, my dear sister for a sister to me you seem do not reproach yourself thus ! You were to blame in this no more than I, or the rest. You knew not, dreamed not, there was danger neither did any of us and the forebodings of Charles were merely vague fancies with out even a foundation. Had he warned us of certain danger known lo himself, then we might have been considered rash in disregarding his counsel. As it is, I feel we have been only the blind instru ments in the hands of the Almighty, for working out one of his mysterious designs. But do not let us despair. I stiil have hope that Charles and Evaline are safe. They were far behind us, and it is possi ble may have turned back and gained Bonder hill in safety." " God send it be so ! " ejaculated I "though I have my fears. But, Eva," I added, " I insist you do not blame your self. If any one is to blame, it is I." " You, Francis ? But you merely say this to console me." " Nay, I will prove it. But for my plan, we had all ere this been far on our way to Fort Laramie. It was I proposed to Eva- line we should leave her alone with her friends, and designated the spot whither we would ride and await her. It was I that made light of the presentiment of Huntly, and scoffed at his idea of danger. So blame not vourself Eva ! Heaven LEN1 LEOTI; OR, knows, th blow falls lifiavy enough upon as all, without the additional .weight of either one thinking it the result of his or h< r individual misdoing." " Ay," n-joined Elmer, " so think I. If one is to blame, nil are but in my opin ion, none me at fault; and certainly not you, Miss Mortimer." But I will not follow in detail our gloomy conversation, nor lunger dwell upon our feelings. Suffice, that for something like an hour, we stood watching the lire, as on it rushed, away and away to the dim dis tance, until it became lost to our \ision, leaving behind it the n.ost dismal scene I had ever beheld. Another hour passed, and still we stood in the self-same spot, uncertain what course lo pursue. We had eagerly scanned every object, and strained our eyes in every di rection, in the hope of being rejoiced by the sight of one living thing. But the hope proved fallacious. All was silent, and black, and motionless, on this great tield of death and dcsohitur. But what should be donp, was now the all important question. The earth was still smoking with heat, ri.d the sun, in mid-heaven, pouring down his scorching ravs, with scarcely a reviving bie*th of * ' J O air ; so that we could net venture from our shady retreat with t-ny safety. Be sides, but two of our horses had been spared, and ihese were 1,0 exhausted as to be of no service to us for the. day at least. How long the earth would remain heat ed, we could not tell ; but in all probability till the day should become too far advanc ed for us .to gain another safe point ere nightfall in vvh'ch event, we wou.d again be in imminent danger from the ravenous beasts, that would come with the dark ness to prey upon the half-burnt carcasses of their fellows. In view of all this, there appeared no alternative but to remain where we w^re over night, and make the .best of the circumstances we could not , alter. This, after the proposal, discussion and filial rejection of several plans, was at last reluctantly consented to, when Elmer and .myself immediately set about constructing n rude lodge for Lilian and Eva, who, to .tlteir praise be it said, bore their misiur- . tunes with a tirm, patient nnd heroic 7'esignation, that would nave won ouradrni- nuion, even had we, in every other respect, been wholly indifferent to their many no ble charms. Our present asylum was a beautiful and romantic spot, of some half a dozen acres in extent, watered by a fine spring, shaded with trees, and carpeted with a velvet-like sward of sweet, green grass, interspersed with white, red, purple, yellow and gold colored flowers. In short, it seemed a fiardcn of Eden on an arid waste ; and had our friends been with us, or even had we been assured of their safetv, we could have spent the night here with pleasure. With our hunting-knives we cut several withes, and bending over a few saplings, bound them together so as to form a regu lar arbor, which we roofed with busl es, leaves and turf, sufficiently to keep off the dew at least. \Vi:h our rifles, which we fortunately had with us, we next ransacked the bushes, and were successful in scaring up and shooting some two or three hares, which we dressed and cooked, and found very palatable the more so, perhaps, that we had eaten nothing since morning our provisions for the journey having been left with our mules. During the day we saw nothing of oui companions, and as night slowly shut in . the scene, we gradually began to lose the faint hope that had thus far been our con solation. True, if saved, the same cause which prevented us, might also them, from venturing forth upon what seemed almost certain destruction. But there was no certainty no, scarcely a possibility they had escaped, and this torturing thought, added to our lonely situation and the sur rounding gloorn, made us wretched with o O despair. Oh ! what an awful night was this we passed in the wilderness ! One which, were we to live a thousand years, would ever be a yesterday to us, so deeply and painfully was it engraven upon the outer tablets of our memories. To add gioom, as it were, to accumulated horrors, a dark, angry cloud began to spread along the western horizon, from which shot vivia flashes of lightning, followed by the boom ing roar of heavy thunder, as if the spirits I of the air, bent on making " assurance doubly sure," were now marshaling theii ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 105 grand reserve-forces to triumph over a vanquished foe. On, on came the Storm-King, flinging out his black banners in advance, and vail ing the light of Heaven's starry host, as if unwilling one single thing should be left undone to make his triumph most dis mally, impressively terrible. On, on he caine, amid the almost incessant flashes and thunders of his mighty artillery ! Huddled together, in our rude arbor, be fore which blazed a lurid, flickering flame, that gave our pale features an unearthly appearance, and made our grim shadows dance fantastically behind us, like dark spirits in a hellish revel, we sat and gazed upon vacancy, silent with emotions too deep for utterance. Now the storm was at its hight. Sheet upon sheet of the hot lightning, flashing in our faces, blinded our eyes ; pep.l upon peal of crashing thunder, shaking the earth beneath, almost deafened us with its roar; while the rain, pouring down in tor rents, thoroughly drenched and stiffened our cramped up bodies and limbs. For two hours thus we remained in breathless awe, motionless and silent, ere the storm abated its fury ; and then only, as it, were, that we might hear the howl- ings of surrounding wolves, which, to our distorted fancies, seemed the loud wailings of the damned over the final wreck of Nature. Serenely the morning broke upon the night, and the sun again rose as bri<>-ht and golden as if nothing had happened. Never was a day hailed with more joy. With the first streak of light, we caught our two overridden horses, and found, to our groat delight, that they were still ca pable of performing a heavy task. Mount ing two on each, we set out over the blackened plain to retrace our steps, and, it possible, gain some tidings of our friends. For an hour or more we saw nothing to attract particular attention, when suddenly Eva uttered a fearful shriek, and pointing to an object before us, cried : ' My God ! look on that ! " We did look, with dilated eyes, and felt our blood freeze with, horror. It was the blackened and mangled corse of a human being probably the remains of one of our companions of the previous day. A few feet from it lay the half-eaten of a horse, too fatally confirming our sus picions. Elmer and I dismounted and examined the body of the unfortunate young man ; but all trace by which we might identify it was lost ; and with a sicken shudder and trembling steps we passed on, with such feelings as none can evermore than faintlj imagine. About a mile from this, we came upon the carcass of a horse, beside which lay the stirrups of a saddle, several scraps of burnt leather, and, oh God ! another hu man body ! "Another victim ! " groaned Fitzgerald, covering his eyes to shut out the hideous spectacle. " Who next ? " " Great God ! " gasped 1, " should the next be Charles and Evaline ! But come, Fitzgerald ! this is a trial unfitted for la dies. See ! both Lilian and Eva seem ready to fall from their horses ! Let us mount and away, and take them from this awful scene. If we gain no tidings of our friends when we reach the Wahsochees, we will at least get some of them to assist us in the painful task of searching for their remains." Shaping our course -more to the right, we i ode away over the plain, fearful to look beneath our feet, lest our eyes might chance upon another revolting spectacle. In the course of a couple of hours, we had passed the first hill, leaving it away to our left, and were fast nearing the second, the point from whence we had first viewed the beautiful prairie, in all the enchantment of its loveliness only the morning previ ous, and which we had fixed on for ouf rendezvous, in case we became separated, little dreaming, in our merry thoughtless ness, of the mighty calamity hanging ovei us, and that grim Death was even then invisibly stalking in our midst to select hia victims. Suddenly Lilian exclaimed : " God be thanked ! they live ! " and overcome with joyful emotions, she could only point her finger and faintly add : See ! see ! " " Ay, thank God ! ' cried I, " they are saved ! '' and 1 pointed to Charles and Eva- line, whom we now descried rushing doivn the hill before us, followed by some fii'teen or twen y of the Mysterious Tribe. 106 LENI LEOTI; OR, Five minutes later, we stood clasping each other, weeping and speechless with joy. CHAPTER XXV. THE KSCAPK KKTTRX TO TJIE FORT JOY TI1EDKA1) ALIVK HOMRWAlin BOL'M) THK ROUTK RKKI.KC- TIOXS DKSTIXATIOX (iAINKD II A IT V JIKKTIXCJ. IT is unnecessary lor me to dwell upon this rapturous meeting, one of the most joyful I had ever experienced. No one can conceive our feelings but such as have been plticetl in like situations. Each party had looked upon the othe as dead, and mourned their loss ac cordingly ; Mid it was with tears of gratitude for our deliverance from an awful fate, that we narrated to each other the manner of escape. That of Charles and Evaline was as follows : At the time they discovered the lire they were some four miles in our rear, and at least two behind the hindmost of the party. Made aware of their danger, they sougnt to avert it by flight ; and as the hill behind them was the nearest, elevated point, they had strivm to gain it in advance of the dames. In this they had been disappointed. The fire, driven by a Strong breeze of its own creating, rushed for ward with such frightful velocity, that when within a mile or so of the desirahfe point, they found, to their dismay and horror, all hope of escape in that quarter cut off. " imagine my feelings," said Huntly, as h told me the tale, "when, all hope of escape over, I threw my arm around the waist of Eva- line, and pointing to the flames, which, driven forward by a strong breeze, had already passed the hill to the westward and were fast sweep ing around to enclose it, with a fiery wall when, I say, viewing all this with a calmness of utter despair, I whispered : /' 'At least, dear Evaline, we will die together.' "' Rather say live together,' she exclaimed', if you have any means of striking lire.' " ' Only a pistol,' I replied. " 'That will do,' she answered. 'Quick ! let us dismount, tear up the grass around us and fire it.' "In an instant,'' pursued Huntly, ' I com prehended all ; anil springing from my horse, With hope renewed, labored as a mini may, when hin own life and that of another more valuable are, depending on his exertions In two minutes ft small spot was cleared, and placing MIT pistol within a bunch of torn up grass, I fired. The Hash ignited it, and a bright flame shooting upward, caught on all sides, and sped away on its work of death, leaving a blackened circle, within which we stepped and remained unharmed. As soon as the fire had passed, we remounted and dashed over the nealad earth to the hill before us, where, like yourselves, we passed a terrible night of agon ized suspense. Not having seen any signs of yon or the rest of the party during the day, we finally came to the melancholy conclusion that all \vete lost, and at daybreak this morning set off for the Indian village with the heart-rend ing intelligence Some twenty of the tribe at once volunteered to go back with us, and on this sail journey we had already set out, when, to our unspeakable joy, we espied you gallop ing over the plain, and hastened to meet you." " Strange I " said I, iu reply, " that I should i have overlooked a means of escape so simple j as firing the prairie! It would ha - 'e saved * | world of trouble ; but from the fir.*t 1 lost my ' presence of mind, and thought of nothing but | escape by flight. Abis ! for our (ompanionti! ; Have you seen any of them, Charles '!" ' Not one," he answered with a sigh. " Then I fear all have perished ! " "What are we to do under th* circum stances?" he inquired. " Why, I think we had better set -out for Fort Laramie at once ; for our friends there, even now, are doubtless becoming exceedingly uneasy at our long absei^e." ' And leave the bones of our late compaa ions to bleach on the open prairie, Frank ?" " No ! We must get the Indians to hunt up their bodies and give them decent burial." This plan was finally adopted ; and in the course of a couple of hours we had again part ed with the Wahsochees, and were on our re turn to the fort. The journey proved a tedious one, for all were sad and s-ilerit with gloomy thoughts. Traveling some thirty miles we encamped, and resuming oar route ihe next morning, we reach ed the fort in the afternoon of the >ame day. As we rode into the area, ihe inmates all rushed out to greet and wuleome us, and :miong them came Mrs. Huntly and Madame Morti mer, almost frantic with joy. At first we were at a loss to comprehend the canst- of this strong ebullition of feeling; but diii not long remara in ignorance; for the next moment, descrying two of our late companions in the crowd, th whole truth flashed upon us. " Oh, my children ! my children ! " exclaim ed Mrs. Himtly; and overcome with her feel ings, >he could"only first clasp one and then the oilier to her heart in silence! "My daughters! and do I indeed see you alive again V" cried Madame itortimer, press ing Eva and Evaline to her panting breast. "0! could you but, know a mother's ag'>uy for the last twenty-four hours, during which she had mourned you as dead, you would never leave her again." But not to dwell upon this affectionate meet ing, it will only be necessary to slate, that twe of the party whom we supposed dead, had escaped by flying from tlie field and taking refuge on the ridge to the north. Here they had paused for a few minutes, to gaze upon she sublime scene of ihe burning plain ; and then, believing all, save themselves, had per ished, had made the best of their way back to the fort and so reported. No wondwr, then, there was surprise, and joy, ity, and kept her in a continual state of pleased excitement. Eva was happy in the company of one who eould appreciate her noble qualities, and lend her those affec tionate and tender sympathies which the ar dent soul ever craves, and without which it languishes, and droops, and feels there is a mighty void within. Lilian was happy, nd my vanity sometimes whispered me a reason therefor. In sooth, by the time we reached St. Louis, there was not a sad heart in the party unless in a reflective mood, a dark shadow from the past might chance to sweep across it for a moment only, as'it were, tp make it seem more bright in the glorious sunshine of the present. With what emotions of wonder and joy did Evaline view those mighty leviathans, that, by the genius and mechanism of man, are made to^ play upon the mighty rivers of the Great West, and bear him on his journey as he passes to and fro to all portions of the habitable globe ! And then the delight we all felt, as wo. glided down the turbid \yaters pf the great Mississ ippi, and steered up the beautiful Ohio, past villages, and towns, and cities, where the pleasing hum of civilization, iu every breast save one, awoke sweet memories of former days, and made our hearts bound with pleas ing anticipations of what wns yet to come. On, on we swept up the Ohio, past the flour ishing cities of Louisville and Cincinnati, (making only a short stay at each.) to that of Pittsburgh, where our steamer was exchanged for another, that for the stage, to bear us over the romantic Alleghanies, and that in turn for th rushing car, to land us in Hultimore. again in 1 hiladelphi'a, and lastly in that grca', emporium of the western continent, New York. And spon, on ever-changing, continually progressing toward the golden haven of our desires which. Heaven be praised ! we at last reached in safety. During the latter part of the journey, my I feelings became very sad. I was ncaring th | home of my youth the abode of my dearly- loved parents after many long years of pain ful and eventful separation. What changes might not have occurred in the interval ! Changes, perad venture, t<> rend my heart with anguish. My parents my affectionate mother | my kind ami indulgent father how I trem- | bled to think of them ! What if, as in tie rase I of my friends, one or both had been called ! from the scenes of earth, and were now sleep ing their last sleep in the molderiny church yardnever to bless me more wilh the soft light of their benign eyes ! Oh ! what a heart- sickening feeling, of almost utter c'esolatio.n, the very thought of it produced! until 1 forced myself to think no more, lest I should lack physical strength to bear me on to the knowl edge I longed yet dieadcd to gain. Pressing invitations from us, and I scarcely need add a more eloquent persuasion from the soft, dark eyes of another, had induced Elmer Fitzgerald to extend his journey a few hun dred miles beyond his original intention. Ar rived in the city, we all took rooms at a hotel, until such time as we could notify our friends of our presence or rather, until" I could see my parents, if living, in advance of the others. With a heart palpitating with hope and fear, I hurried into a carriage and ordering the driver not to spare his horses, leaned back on my seat, and gave myself up to the most intense and painful meditations occasionally listening to the rumbling of the swift whirling wheels, and wondering when they would cease their motion at their present destination or gazing from the window at the thousand objects flit- ting p^st me, with that vague look of the oc cupied mind, which takes in each thing dis tinctly, and yet seems to see nothing whatever. " Crack went the whip, round went the wheels," and on we sped at the same rapid pace. At length my attention was arrested by objects familiar from my boyhood, and my heart seemed to creep to my throat, for I knew I was clo.se upon the mansion of my father. A few moments of breathless suspense, and the car riage stopped suddenly, the door swung open, and, leaping out, I rushed up the steps and into the dwelling of my parents. Two minutes later, unannounced, I stood in the presence of both, but saw I was not recognized- " Mother! father!" I cried, "have you for gotten your long absent son ? " There was a brief moment of speechless, joyful amazement, and the next I was in my mother's arms, while my father stood by, preaa- ing my hand and weeping as a child. CHAPTER XXV I. A GOEOKOUS BCENE THE MYSTERY SOLVED FOR TUNE PBOPITIOU8 HAPPINESS THK FINALE. READER! I am about to close about to pre sent to you the last scene of set-lies I shall ever give of this my drama of life. I am about to bid you farewell, perchance forever. May J not trust we part as friends ? as boon com panions, who have together made a Long pil- grimage, with an ever cordial attachment and friendly understanding-? From the land of my nativity, you hare followed roe througk 108 L E N I L E T I Kriorl of years, over the wilderness of the far, r West, back again to my native land. You have scon me in prosperity and adversity in sickness and health in moments of ease and safety in moments of hardship and peril in the calmness of 'quiet meditation, and amid the turmoil, and strife, and din of battle. From first to lati I have been ever present to you made you my confidante laid bare to your Size the secret workings of my ardent spirit, ay 1 not trust I have had your sympathy ? that you have felt an interest in my fate, and also in the fate of those with whom my fortune has been so closely connected ? Yes*! 1 will trust we part as friends that when you have perused the last page <>f this, rny hum ble scroll, you will not cast it aside, as alto gether worthless that you will long after spare me and my friends a single thought of pleasing remembrance. lean not see you can not hear your answer and yet something whis pers me it is as I desire that we shall not sepa rate but with mutual regrets. % Be this as it may, the farewell must be said the solemn farewell: ' That word which must be and hath been That, sound which makes us linger." It was a brilliant scene. In a large saloon, made gorgeous with all the luxuries wealth could procure from all parts of the habitable globe Avith soft carpets from Turkey, antique vases from China, old paintings from Germany, and statues from Florence with long hanging mirrors, that doubled the splendors of the Bcene with chairs, and sofas, and ottomans, cushioned with the softest and most costly of rel vets with everything, in short, to please, dazzle, and fascinate the eye over which streamed a soft, bewitching, alabaster light where strains of melodious music stole sweetly upon the enraptured sense of the hearer; in such a gorgeous apartment as this, I say, were collected bright faces, sparkling eyes, snowy arms, and lovely forms set off with vestures of broadcloths, and silks, and satins, and or namented with chains of gold, and jewels of diamond, and ruby, and pearl, arid sapphire. Ay! in such a place as this in the mansion of my father were assembled the elite of Bos ton, to witness the nuptials of Evaline and Oharles, Eva and Elmer, Lilian and myself. Need I dwell upon the scene ? Need I say it was as happy as gorgeous ? Need I add, that the fair maidens led to the altar looked more sweet and lovely than any had ever before seen them ? No ! it is unnecessary for me to enter into detail here, for the quick perception of the reader will divine all I would say. Enough, that the rough scenes of the wilderness through which we had passed, could not be more strong ly contrasted than on this never-to-be-forgotten occasion of unalloyed happiness. The solemn nuptial ..te was followed with congratulations with music, dancing, and fes tivities and it was loi.g past the noon of night ere the well-pleased guests departed, and a small circle of happy friei.ds were left to themselves. When all had at last become quiet, and none were present but the newly-married and their nearest and dearest relatives : '' Now, said Madame Mortimer, 'vith a smile, "to add pleasure to pleasure; to make the happy happier I have a joyful surprise for you all." "Permit me to doubt." said I, "if aught any one can say, can in any degree add to the. happiness of those here present. I look upon the thing as impossible. However, 1 may be too confident ; but, at least, I speak for myself." " And yet, pursued the other, smiling arch ly, " would it not add pleasure even to you, irancis, Were I to tell you a dark mystery haa been cleared up. and a wrong matter set right 1" " What mean you ? " asked I, while tbe rest turned to her with eager curiosity. " What would you think should I now pro ceed to prove to you, my friends, that tl-e per son you have long known as Madame Morti mer, is from this time forth to be known aa Marchioness of Lombardy V" ' How ? what 'I speak ! " exclaimed 01 e anw all in a breath. " Ay, such is the fact. Since my ret jrn, I have received letters from England and France, stating that my late husband for he is now dead was none other than the Marquis of Lombardy, who was banished from France for some state intrigue, and afterward restored to favor. Fearing, before his death, that some future revolution might again endanger hit property, he managed to dispose of sufficient to purchase a large estate in England, which he has generously bequeathed to me and mj heirs forever. Accompanying his will, whicn I have now in my possession, is a long letter, in which he asks forgiveness for the wrong he had formerly done me in separation, and wherein he states as a reason for never men tioning his title, that at some future time he had designed taking me by surprise ; but that the news of the restoration of himself and for tune, corning at a moment when his worst pas sions were excited, he had left me in an abrupt manner, taking Evaline with him, whom, he sorrowfully adds, was afterward lost or mur dered : that of this foul deed he had always suspected a near relation of his a villain who brought him the intelligence of his fortune being restored and that in consequence ha had taken what precautions he could, to put his property, in case of his sudden decease, entirely beyond the other's reach. This, raj- friends, is all I will tell you to-night ; but to morrow you shall have proofs of all I have said. And now, my daughters, that you are happily wedded, I give you this estate as marriage portion." I will not dwell upon the emotions of joyful sur prise which this revelation excited in the hearts of those who heard it. Suffice, that it did add pleasure to pleasure made the happy happier. A sentence more and 1 have done. The words of the Marchioness of Lombardy were subsequently verified in every particular, and Charles Huntly, and Elmer Fitzgerald, hav had no cause, thus far, even in a pecuniary point of view, to regret the choice they mad* in the wilderness of the Far West. Propitiout I fortune now smiles upon all, and al 1 are happy. Thus is it ever. To-day we rise i" morrow fall to rise again perchance the next. Pros-; perity and adversity are ever so closely linked, that the most trivial event may make or mat '. our happiness. The Past we know the Pies- ent we see but who shall say aught of tt Future. So ends the scene. i THE END.