Galveston Tribune. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 16, No. 199, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 14, 1896 Page: 5 of 12
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SUNDAY,
JUNE 14,
1896.
5
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as
Their name
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good
said
When am I
are, and only your presence assures me
said lhe cap- , emu voice:
I
JA
Mr. Bouton straightened up in the
Eaddle, drew in the reins and urged his
r* v “
/ is
’ lz
are one.
. If
this dog, Sim Bliss, told me the truth—
and I think he did—the Kyles are the
heirs to that estate, and if they put in
an appearance the Blanchards would be
nr where. If Henry and Louis Kyle were
Ah
H? 4
ing Alice and Clara to one side he said:
“My children, there is nothing left
but to submit to th >se men. Let us go
with them, and trust to heaven to shield
us from the harm they contemplate. ”
“We will go with you, father,” said
Alice, with her arms about his neck.
“We could not, would not remain back.
Keep good heart and succor will come.
I have faith in Louis Kyle. ’ ’
“As I have,” replied the doctor.
“But let us bo getting ready. ”
Believing that the outlaws would not
dare to take them within reach of the
ping Henry on the back.
Henry Kyle half turned and asked:
‘ ‘ What do you propose to do with Dr.
' Blanchard’s daughters?”
“I haven’t thought about them. I be-
I lieve the Bliss brothers are enough in-
' terested in their welfare to see that no
harm comes to them. ”
“The Bliss brothers are natural born
protectors, ’ ’ sneered Henry Kyle.
“If you don’t think they can fill the
bill, why don’t you go in and give
them your services? Here you are in the
sulks instead of being delighted at our
success—at the success of your own
plans. ”
‘ *1 am so delighted at the success of
/■W
I z1 \m.l
‘Captain Brandon and Mr. Blanch- I Ppi.
d.” he said in a huskv and trnnhlprl ; a j
J ppfc
'JfJ
7(
replied Louis.
f “Did you not come through the can-
yon?”
it seems to mo. 1 _ o_______
had to hold to each other’s belts, the
“Two of my men are guarding the
' i a 1
But as to the manner of our
Sb
ga
fi
GALVESTON TRIBUNE:
words rang out:
“I am Joseph, your brother,” he said,
“And still to my heart are you dear.
You sold me. You thought I was dead.
But God for your sake sent me here. ”
By Lebanon's shadow wo stood,
The dark cedars rose out ’gainst the sky,
When the gray coat was dappled with blood
And the slave traders came passing by.
The Prophet had reached the exit of
the cave and stood framed by the rocks
and bathed by the golden sunlight.
“Youare here,” he cried, “here, as I
expected!” And he hastened out and
gave a hand to each.
“Any news from Louis K-1 ?” asked
the captain as they foil owe
into the cave.
CHAPTER X.
In obedience to the stronger will and
the additional fact that Captain Bran-
don had rescued him from his pursuers,
Howard Blanchard submitted at once
to his control and followed where he
led. Back into the hills they went un-
til it was nearly daylight, when How-
ard, who had been stumbling on behind
with feet as heavy as his heart, called
out:
“Captain, do you think wo are bet-
; tering ourselves by this flight?”
I “You are deceived, ” replied the cap-
j tain. “The man who gallops back for
re-enforcements when the battle is rag-
ing can hardly be said to be retreating.
If Louis Kyle is living, I expect to hear
from him before the sun goes down. ”
The captain resumed the lead, and
descending from the mountain side,
which they had been traversing, en-
tered a valley. Thia valley narrowed as
they went on, the sloping sides rising
at a sharper and sharper angle until
they became perpendicular and the val-
ley became a canyon. Through this can-
yon a thread of clear water flowed, with
a splashing and waving that struck
Howard to be out of all proportion to
its size. Even the fall of his own feet
and the sound of his voice impressed
him as painful exaggerations.
The high perpendicular walls of the
canyon magnified the sound, the echoes
being dashed back and forth till lost in
a hoarse murtaur far overhead. As they
went on it seemed to Howard as if they
were descending into the bowels of the
earth. The narrow strip of blue sky
looked like an ethereal river in which
the stars were reflected, for be it known
that in the profound depths that char- '
acterize the mountains of the west the
Etars can be distinctly seen even when
that’ll make you heed them when
hear them. What doiyou say?”
“What can I do but agree?”
“You’ll take me in on the ground
nh Aw
Mm
“Jfy children, there is nothing left but to
submit.'’
Kyle, pale and reticent, was at the rear
of the line, where the pack animals were
in readiness. The prisoners, for such
they wore, were placed in the center' of
the line. The cavalcade headed for the
south and socn wound out of the valley
I of the Blue Water.
| Sim Bliss and his brother Tom, after
I the exultation over their success had sub-
sided, began to ask themselves how their
plans had been furthered and what re-
mained to be dene for their perfection.
While the Bliss brothers were discussing
the situation Bouton’s brain was not
idle. He rode apart from his men, his
head bowed and the reins dangling
I from the neck of his horse. He had the
habit peculiar to men who live much in
■ solitude of thinking aloud, and on this
! occasion his thoughts ran something
l after this fashion:
i “The Kyles and the Weldons
There can be no doubt about that.
aaj.vjj.v, AAAtCAiiiAiavcu. uy lyvu 0U£UUe«, II1U ! - ■» -
. red light of which fell upon a deep, clear ;
fountain in the center.
' “I will call you when the meal is pre-
pared. ”
CHAPTER XI.
Bouton made known his intentions to
his prisoners, informing them of the
charge and his intention to take Dr.
Blanchard back to West Virginia for
trial. The doctor tore up the warrant
in his face, and indignantly denied the
charge.
The doctor deemed an explanation
due to those about him, and told the
story of his life. With much shrewd-
ness lie guessed at the plot in which
Lawyer Bliss and his sons were so deep-
ly interested. When the doctor had fin-
ished, sturdy John Clyde, as spokesman
for the immigrants, said:
“We don’t need your explanation,
doctor, to convince us of your inno-
cence. We believe in you and are ready
to fight for you, though we one and all
regret that our fighting will do no good
at this time. But we can say this—we
do not propose to leave here till this
thing is settled. ”
When Dr. Blanchard became calmer,
he saw that resistance would be useless,
and he reasoned that Bouton would not
"First kneel
thanks. ”
Every man knelt before a dish, so
forming a circle about the altar, and the
Prophet offered up a prayer, filled with
Biblical quotations and startling rhe-
torical phrases of his own. He had the
good sense not to pray the victuals cold.
He brought up suddenly and set an ex-
ample he would have his guests follow.
“Now, my brethren, ’ ’ said the Prophet
when the meal was concluded, “we
must have rest. Sleep without fear, and
when the time for action comes I will
call you. ’ ’
--- A
30
HWii
ffls
floor?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Tom, here’s my hand. Now
let us get back and have some breakfast.
Business is crowding upon me, but I
like it. After years of trying I see my
way to wealth, and I feel that fortune is
again with me. ’ ’
sZssMawab
city men do in the mountains, but I’m
in the mountains now. I’m at,homo.
And. I’m going to pan out this fin I just
so long as there is a show of color in the
gravel. I must have an equal share of
the plunder. I’ll let you have charge of
the girls. I can make my market in an-
other place.”
“Again I don’t understand you.”
Put the contract into -writing and
make me an equal partner; then we’ll
“I can possess that estate just as easily as
iimi cm. ”
He brought the foremost to the ground.
his head and saw that he was suffering
from a shock that would have knocked
the breath forever out of a man of ordi-
nary vitality. He bathed the wound and
bound up the head, which, in addition
to forcing water into the unconscious
man’s mouth, had the effect of bringing
him back to reason. Kyle had opened
his eyes and was looking around him in
a dazed way when Bouton forced his
way through the crowd and stood before
him.
“Hello, Hank! Who did this?” asked
Bouton.
“I don’t know, ” replied Henry Kyle,
and he raised his hand to his forehead
and shut his eyes the better to collect
his wandering senses.
“You don’t know? Well, if any one
was to.treat me in that way, I’d be apt
to know who it was and to remember
him till the day I died. ’ ’
“It was Captain Brandon,”
Black Eagle.
“Hali! This is a case where the hunt-
er was hunted, ’ ’ laughed Bouton. ‘ ‘ But
never mind, Hank; better luck next
time. You have failed, but I have won. ’ ’
“And the young ladies, the Blanch-
ards?” asked Harry eagerly.
“Oh, they are safe and sound. You
don’t suppose I’d let harm come to those
lovely creatures? No, no, they are re- :
T* CT TACIPf1 Ci LI w tct, LU. ■>. ' 4 l-> z. /I f ,
“And the brother—Howard?”
“He escaped, I believe, ” said Bouton.
After the women had ceased their
wailing and the children their sobbing
Co-Y RIGHT- I89S, gV AMtRiCAN PRSSS lAT'QM.
SYNOPSIS PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
Chapter 1.—At the -beginning- of the civil
war Valentine Weldon was suspected of
the murder of hi-s brother Frederick, who
had. disappeared. Dr. Blanchard married
their sister. JHe became -a•widower, and
years. after the supposed murder went
west with his children, Howard, Alice and
Clara. Capt. Brandon conducts the
train When it reached the far west. Two
bad characters, Henry Kyle and Font
Robb,, joined them.
■ Chapter. 2.—Henry Kyle soon leaves the
train and visits his father and sister
Nora, who attempt to turn him from his
evil life.
Chapter 3.—Two lawyers named Bliss
come to the west from Virginia to attempt
to^ force the Blanchards to relinquish the
Weldon estate. The Blisses ally them-
selves with one Bouton and his gang, who
-are ready for any villainy.
Chapter 4.—Louis Kyle, Henry Kyle’s
brother, warns Capt. Brandon against
Bouton’s gang.
Chapter 5.—The -Blisses accuse Dr.
Blanchard of having murdered his wife.
Chapter 6.—Louts Kyle enlists a fighting
hermit called the Prophet in behalf of the
Blanchards against Bouton.
Chapter 7.—‘Patch deserts the Blanch-
ards and goes to Bouton. Capt. Brandon
encounters Henry Kyle, fights him and
leaves him for dead.
Chapter 8.—Valentine Kyle confesses
that he is Valentine Weld-on, -and that he
killed his brother 'Frederick unintention-
ally.
talk. When I find that you arc doing
the square thing by mo, I’ll come right
out and tell you the truth—that is, i’ll
tell you all I know, and I know things
you
Bouton went back to Alice Blanchard,
and again his hat was in his hand.
“Tell, the ladies not to fear, ” he said.
“Have them put their children to sleep
again.- We are not the monsters we have
been painted, as I hope to prove to
you”—
“If you are what you claim, ” she
asked, “why have you made war on in-
nocent and inoffensive people?’ ’
“I have not made war. ”
“What do you call your conduct,
then?”
“I am acting in the interest of law. ”
‘‘Of law?” And the shadow of a sneer
gathered about the beautiful lips. ■
“Yes. There are men here who have
a warrant for the arrest of Dr. Blanch-
ard and his 'son. ’ ’
“I have seen the men.
is Bliss?”
“Yes.”
“And you believe them?”
“I cannot help believing them,
have seen the papers, and they have
paid me for my services. ’ ’
“But are you < authorized by law to
aid these wretches?”
“There is no law in this land,
plied Bouton, “but that which each
man can enforce with his strong right
arm. ”
“Then you confess that you have no
right to do this thing?”
‘ ‘A right? Why, Miss Blanchard,
might is right here, and I reckon you’ll
find it pretty much so the world over.
If your father and brother are innocent,
they can prove it when they return to
West Virginia. ”
“Then we return together as we
came, ’ ’ said Alice.
“I beg your pardon, but if has been
decided not to subject yourself and your
sister to the trials and inconveniences ;
of a return. You remain in our charge
for the present. ’ ’
Without waiting to hear her comment
on this, Bouton turned and walked hur-
riedly away. As he neared the fire he
saw the men under Font Robb crowding
around a prostrate form. He knew that
the man on the ground was Henry Kyle,
and in his heart he hoped he might find
him dead. In this hope he was disap-
pointed. Skilled in the rude remedies of
that land, Font Robb had assured bim-
self before carrying the wounded man
back that no bones were broken and that
he still breathed. When Robb got him
back to camp, he discovered a gash on
as this. ”
“No?”
“Never, Tom, for I now see that I
can possess that estate just as easy as
you can—easier indeed, for I have the
whole game in my own hands. ”
1 “I. don’t understand you,” gasped
i Tom Bliss.
j “And I don’t intend that you shall.
Look at me, Tom, and tell me if you
think I’m a cursed fool. ”
Tom did look at him and said:
“No, Bouton; you have lots of sense. ”
“Yes, Tom, lots and dead loads of
fancy kind. You could give mo points - band of liquid silver and reaching the
and beat me out and out on book learn- i bottom a veil of iridescent foam. The
ing. In a city I’d need a guide, just as ; irregular’ shape of this valley added not
a little to its beauty. The few trees near
the walls, the many shrubs bordering
the lake and the grasfe carpeting the ex-
panse were of various shades of emerald,
each, as the eye rested on it, seeming
the very perfection of nature’s coloring.
“Why,” exclaimed Hownrd Blanch-
ard, when he could give utterance to
his surprise, “this is wonderful!”
“The Indians call it ‘The Great
Spirit’s Council. Place,’ ”
«i
ft
you can.”
the cloudless sun shines with midsum-
mer fervor in the sky of the upper
world.
“Can we ever get out of this place,
captain?” asked Howard Blanchard,
when the darkness became so dense that
he could hardly make out the form of
his guide a few yards in the advance.
“Yes. Trust to me and keep a g" ’
heart,” replied the captain, without
halting or looking back.
To pass from the narrow, black cell
of a dungeon into the center of an illu-
minated salon in Windsor palace, if
suddenly affected, would be a transfor-
! mation that would blind the eyes for
the time and overwhelm the senses. If
a light like the sun were suddenly to
flash in the high heavens at midnight, i
people would ignore the phenomenon for ;
the moment in the overwhelming effect I
upon the senses, yet something like this
happened to Howard Blanchard. There i
was a short turn in the canyon—a turn i
that revealed what seemed to Howard
Blanchard like the door of a mighty fur-
nace filled with molten gold, and in
this door the black form of Captain
Brandon stood out like a statue against ■
the sun.
“Hold your hand to your eyes for a
bit,” the captain shouted back, himself
setting the example, and Howard obeyed i
him. After a few minutes the captain
called out:
“Now, open your eyes and come on. ”
This advice was to prepare the young
man for the sudden effect of a light that
was natural, but dazzling on account of
the change and the brilliancy of the sur-
rounding snow peaks from which it was
reflected. A few yards farther on How-
ard Blanchard discovered that the
canyon terminated in a valley or de- 1
pression about a quarter of a mile in ;
diameter. Excepting at a point directly
opposite to that by which they had en-
tered, this remarkable valley was shut
in by precipitous walls that rose ■
8,000 feet or more, and here and there
detached masses in the form of pinnacles
and looking like the mighty ruins of i
Gothic cathedrals rose for 1,000 feet horses" in
higher. . * , cliffs. as to me manner or our
lhe stream flowing along Lie bottom reaching here I cannot tell vou. I only
of the canyon by which the two men ’ "
had entered widened out into an irreg-
ular shaped lake a hundred yards wide i
in its narrowest diameter and flashing
like a great mirror in the center of the
rock rimmed basin. Here the waters
seemed to rest before rushing on through
the opening in the opposite wall, by
which avenue they went down to join
the sulphur crusted rocks of the won-
derful Yellowstone. The lake was fur-
the Prophet, still striding ahead.
They followed, and as they went on the
light became dimmer, but so gradually
that they could see the vaulted roof and
the supporting stalactitic pillars with ,
the greatest distinctness. Two hundred
feet from the entrance the hall widened
into a chamber of such proportions that
the farther xvalls were but indistinctly
discernible in the “dim religious light. ”
In the center of this chamber—if" such
the splendid cathedrallike expanse
could be called—a fire burned on what
looked to be an altar, and about it the
indistinct forms of a number of men
could be seen. As the captain and How-
ard Blanchard neared the fire one of the
figures turned and came hastily toward
them. It did not need a second glance
to discover the ’handsome face and grace-
i ful form of Louis Kyle.
ard, ’ ’ he said in a husky and troubled
i voice, ‘‘I met the Prophet this morning, I
! and he told me all. I did what I could :
- to avert the blow. I never dreamed that
' you had a traitor in your own camp. ’ ’
! “Our case is bad, ” replied the cap-
tain, still retaining the young man’s
i hand, “and but for you it might have
’ been worse. Do your companions come
to aid us?”
“They do.
herders, and there is not one of them I
who is not ready to die with me and for I
I me,” replied Louis Kyle. I
i “Before another sun rises they will
have a chance to prove their devotion. ’ ’
i ‘ ‘And you can trust me that they will
not be found wanting,” responded
Louis.
“Come, my friends, ” said the Proph-
et, “before doing more you must eat
and rest. Of old the faithful lived in i
caves, but it is no place recorded that
they lived without food. Come with me -
and bathe. Nature has made ample -
, provision here. ”
F' He led them into a smaller apart-
ment, illuminated by two torches, the
my own plans that I feel like cutting
my throat. ’ ’
“Don’t do that. But why the feel-
ing?”
“I didn’t join this outfit to make war
on women and children. If this doctor
and his son are prisoners and thieves,
let tho Blisses pay us for our services
and take them away, though, to be
frank, I think it a put up job, and you
think the same thing. ”
“We never had any doubt about that.
But the young ladies—what would you
do with them?”
‘ ‘I can take them to a place where
they will be safe and well cared for. ’ ’
“Where is that?”
“My father’s house.”
“I thought you were never going
I back there again. ’ ’
“Then you thought wrong. My moth-
er lives, and so long as she lives she
will receive me, and I will seek her
out. ’ ’
‘ ‘ But supposing your brother falls in
love with the girl who has now your
heart?” Bouton chuckled and looked
out between the horse’s ears.
“I shall suppose nothing. I have not
been in the habit of considering the ef-
fect of ray conduct. My being here is
the best proof of that. Excepting your-
self and a few men of the same cast the
members of this gang are creatures of
impulse. We act, then think.”
Bouton bowed with a mock courtesy
and rode to the rear of the line, where
Font Robb and Patch had charge of the
pack mules. He gave them some orders,
then galloped to the head of the line,
where tho young Shoshone, Black Eagle,
had command of the scouts. He remain-
ed with the Indians till the sun set.
By this time they had reached an
open valley, through which wound a
broad, shallow stream, the banks lined
with cottonwood and the grassy expanse
broken here and there by clumps of cedar
and mountain oaks. Bouton’s trained
eye at once fell on the proper position
for a camp, and he dismounted from his
horse. He sent a number of the Indians
into the surrounding hills to act as
vedettes and wait till Dr. Blanchard
came up with Alice and Clara. He
would have helped the young ladies to
dismount had they not anticipated him
and sprung from their saddles.
“You will permit me,” he said, with
a profound bow, “to be your humble
servant so far as to take charge of your
horses. ’ ’
He took the bridles, and when all the
party was up he instructed one of his
men to stake the horses in a peninsula
formed by a bend in the river, the long
rawhide ropes giving ample space for
grazing. Huge fires were built, and
from the packs provisions were taken
for the evening meal.
Dr. Blanchard gave no thought to
himself. Anxiety for his beautiful
daughters rent his heart, and for the
time unmanned him. If he could have
had assurances of their safety, he would
have willingly given up his own life,
but such assurances could not be
had. There was net in all the party a
man to whom he could look for help.
Once, as he saw Henry Kyle passing,
the impulse came to him to call to the
young man and invoke his aid. Henry
Kyle looked to be so different from the
others that the doctor imagined he
might be be iter, until he recalled that
it was Henry Kyle who had come as a
spy to their camp on the plains and had
afterward betrayed them. While he was
thinking this over Clara laid her hand
on his shoulder and whispered to him,
as if she read his thoughts:
“Might we not appeal to Henry
Kyle?”
From the first the handsome, graceful
youth had made an impression on Clara,
which she would blush to acknowledge
to herself, but do what'she would she
could not banish him from her mind.
The doctor shook his head and answered:
“Why should we appeal to him?
Does he not know the utter helplessness
and misery of our situations?’ ’
“He does, father, and yet something
tells me he might be induced to aid us. ”
“If his own heart does not induce
him, cur words will not. ”
“Would you let me try?”
“No, my child. I cannot permit you
to seek an additional indignity. Let us
endure with patience till heaven sends
us aid. ’ ’
The doctor drew Clara to his breast
and kissed her beautiful white brow and
left a tear on it.
The Indian pickets were recalled by
three rifle shots following each other at
regular intervals. Black Eagle and his
ten Indians were ravenously hungry—
the nomad Indian seems to have been
born hungry, and there is no authentic
record of his ever having eaten enough.
Bouton was too prudent to feed his
braves all they could eat. He caused to
be set before them what he considered a
‘ ‘ square feed. And when they had
finished every fragment and licked the
platters clean he drew the young chief
Black Eagle to one side and said:
“Black Eagle, you are the bravest
man, white or red, in the mountains. I
want you to help mo. I want you to
take this white man, Dr. Blanchard,
away from camp tonight. ”
“And where am I to take him?”
“I do not know, nor do I care, only
this—he-must never be seen again.”
“Not even his scalp?”
“No.”
“It shall be as you say.
to return?”
“As soon as you can. ”
“By daylight?”
‘ ‘That will do. ”
“Good! My braves and I will rest.
Wake us when you are ready,” said
Black Eagle.
He went over and lay down among
the dusky renegades, and Bouton sought
out tho Bliss brothers and sat down be-,
tween them.
“Well,” he said, with the expression
of a man who had got rid of a care,
“that point is settled. ”
“What point?” asked Sim.
‘ ‘ About the old man. ’ ’
“Going to send him off?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“Injuns. ”
“What will they do with him?”
“Lose him. ”
“Lose him!” echoed the two brothers.
“Without the ghost of the shadow of
a doubt. I wish we had the old man’s
son in the same box. ”
‘ ‘ But you are sure you can get him?”
This from Sim.
determined to draw him out. To do this
he knew that genuine candor was neces-
sary, for he could not deceive a man as
well versed in all the tricks of villainy
as himself. Tom had inherited quick-
ness of thought and shrewdness from
three generations of backwoods lawyers,
to whom the term “shyster, ” though de-
served, had not yet been applied. He
had underrated the ability of Bouton,
as all men underestimate the ability of
their tools, and now that the reaction
had set in he was inclined, as is* the
rule, to go to the other extreme and give
him credit for powers which he did not
possess.
“Bouton, I’ll be frank with you, ” he
said.
“I like that. ”
‘ ‘And I want you to be frank with
me.”
“You can count on that.”
Shielding himself and his father and
coloring all the facts in his own favor,
Tom Bliss told the story of the Weldons,
and represented with considerable ac-
curacy the condition and value of the es-
tate of John Weldon, with the terms of
his ridiculous will. He did not say that
Dr. Blanchard or his children could con-
test the will, but he gave Bouton to un-
derstand that if the doctor and his sen
were out cf the way that all would be
“plain sailing. ”
“I see,” said Bouton. “If the doctor
and his son were out of the way, then
you think you and your father would be
safe, particularly if you and your broth-
ers married the doctor’s daughters, eh?”
“No, not that; there axe other heirs. ’’
“In West Virginia?”
“Yes.”
“And they, you think, are the only
heirs in your way?”
‘ ‘ The only ones. ’ ’
“Tom Bliss, you may be a good law-
yer and as prime a rascal as myself, but
you are mistaken about the heirs. ” '*
“How do you know that? What can
you know about it?’ ’ asked the amazed
Tom Bliss.
“When we began to speak just now,
I didn’t think I knew anything, but
since I have heard you I find I know
more than you do, a great deal more than
you do. ”•
“Then I hope you will be equally
candid and tell me all about it, ” said
Tom Bliss, who still believed that Bou-
ton was joking him.
“See here, Tom Bliss, how old do I
look to be?” Bouton straightened him-
self up and. turned his face to the law-
yer.
“About 30, I should say,’’ replied
Tom Bliss after, a judicial survey.
“Many thanks for the compliment to
my youthful appearance. It is the com-
pensation for my moderate life. I am
now in my thirty- ninth year, and, like
every man, I am just as old as I look
and feel, and I never felt better in my
life. ’ ’
“But what has your age to do with
this question?”
‘ ‘More than you think, Tom. Eight-
een years ago I was a grown man. ’ ’
“Twenty-one years of age!”
“Yes, and for four years I had been
guiding parties from Council Bluffs
west to the mountains. ’ ’
‘ ‘Indeed. ’ ’
“Yes, indeed. And let me say, Tom,
that I guided many curious parties.
I’ve known men'to leave Council Bluffs
with one name and to have another
when they got to the mountains, and
I’ve known men to start out with high
hopes and to die before they saw the
mountains”—
“Yes.”
“Yes, T im, just as sure as you’re
sitting the.*e beside me. Oh, I’ve had
lots and lots of experience with people
from the states, but I never met such a
curious outfit ns the Weldons. ”
“The Weldons!” exclaimed Tom
Bliss.
“Yes. Valentine Weldon and his wife
and two sons, with signs of another
child. I didn’t guide them to the moun-
tains, but I was with the man that
did.”
“To wlfat mountains?”
“I won’t say. I dare not say. But
I’ll tell you this: I know where Valen-
tine Weldon and his family are. ”
“You do?”
“I do.”
‘ ‘And have they changed their name?”
“Yes.”
“What name have they now?”
“That I can’t tell.”
“Why not?”
“Because I haven’t got so—low as to
violate an. oath. I see you are surprised
at my knowledge. ”
“I am amazed. ”
“I could amaze you still more if I
wanted to. ’ ’ And Bouton threw back his
head and shook with dumb laughter.
“But,” said Tom Bliss, “Valentine
Weldon is a murderer, and he dare not
make himself known—not if he was
heir to a kingdom. ’ ’
“Perhaps not, but the sins of the fa-
ther, if I know anything about it, are
no bar to the children. What’s your
opinion?”
‘ ‘I—I think you’re right, ” stammered
Tom Bliss. And now his jaunty manner
had vanished, and there were dark rings
under his eyes.
“Oh, it’s very funny how things do
ui F j „ | happen in this world. I often think that
p ' IL' Z h a a i fate is •*»!»* as I am
And rhp nmr.hn?’ Mrrtxrawl9’9 - , , . _ "
| about to give up fortune gives her
| wheel a whirl, and all is dazzling and
bright. She never gave it such a whirl
Tom Bliss and his brother Sim drew I
apart and congratulated themselves on j
the success cf their mission. They had
now no doubt of being able to get rid of
Dr. Blanchard. Howard they regarded
as already dead, and they imagined
themselves the guardians of the beauti-
ful sisters—the heirs of the Weldon
estate in V irginia. But their conversa-
tion was interrupted by Bouton, whom
they did not dream to be within hear- j
ing. But he suddenly appeared and said: ;
“Of course you are shrewd as your !
father, who has charge of the Weldon !
estate on the Great Kanawha,” just as ■
if he were talking about a subject in i
which he was but little interested.
Tom Bliss straightened up on hearing i
this and Rooked into Bouton’s mocking
black eyes until his own fell under- their
unflinching gaze. In that brief time he
saw this man had discovered his secret,
no doubt from hearing conversations
between himself and Sim, for which he
mentally then and there cursed himself
and his brother. But from what Bouton
said he inferred that he knew more
than he could have overheard, and he
They are my father’s
tain, his face glowing in the soft light |
that suffused everything about him.
‘ ‘And a fitting name it is. The com-
bined hands of humanity, working
through all the ages, could not build so
glorious a structure to the honor of the
ever living God, ” said the enraptured
Howard.
Captain Brandon, who had been stand-
ing bareheaded, replaced his hat and
said, “Let us be moving on. ”•
As Howard followed him he asked,
“Is it not curious that this place is not
inhabited?”
“It is a place in the belief of the In-
dians too sacred for man to dwell in. ”
“But wfliitc men could have no such
feelings. ’ ’
“True. White men consider no place
sacred that they have not built them-
selves. Our altars are sacred in propor-
tion to the art we lavish on them. But
this temple has a priest. ”
“A priest?”
“Yes; a priest as pure and faithful
ever devoted his life to the truth. ’ ’
“Who can he be?”
“This,” said Captain Brandon, com-
ing to a halt, “is the home of Daniel
the Prophet. ’ ’
“Of that remarkable being wrho came
to our aid?”
“Yes.”
‘ ‘ The chances are he is now a prisoner
in Bouton’s hands. ”
‘ ‘No, Howard, the chances are he has
reached this place ahead of us. ’ ’
They had come to a halt opposite a
series of openings that looked like im-
mense honeycombs cut into the face of
the wall. Both heard a noise and bent
to listen. From faroff depths they
caught the sound of a deep bass voice : ___________________________
singing. Howard recognized the air. Ho ; hesitate to enf Qrce his command. Draw-
had often heard it in the camp meetings ' ‘1' ' • ~ '
of West Virginia. The words, at first ,
indistinguishable, became plainer and
plainer, till he caught the phrases:
A strong mountain is our God,
And the hills are his footstool.
“That is the Prophet, ” said Howard,
awed by the sound and the silent sub-
limity cf his surroundings.
“Yes, he comes this way. ”
The words had but passed Captain
Brandon’s lips when the rhythmic beat-
ing cf feet could be heard in cadence
with the voice. Then the measure ' ------ .--------------------- ~
changed, and in more joyous tones the Ikw, and hoping that a rescue would
j:. „ . goon com6) Qoctor decided to leave
all his effects not needed for immediate
use in the care of John Clyde. Clyde
and his companions having made up
their minds to remain where they were
till the doctor’s troubles were over, at
once began preparations for a perma-
nent camp. Promptly at noon Bouton
came over, leading two-saddle horses,
Patch following with a pack mule in-
tended to carry the “outfit” of the
1 young ladies,
j “Doctor,” he said, “you can ride
your own horse for the present. Come,
•we are waiting for you. ’ ’
The parting of the doctor and his
rophet . daughters from the immigrants was sad
“Follow me and you will see,” said i T1?e wome11 cl™g to
— - - - j Alice and Clara, and the men could not
i check their tears as they held the old
man’s hand. John Clyde helped Alice
and Clara to mount, hands were waved
in adieu, and the march to an unknown
. All Bouton’s men
were in the saddle and waiting. Henry
CHAPTER IX.
Bouton expressed no horror when
Black Eagle told him that Henry Kyle
was dying. He had no love for the
young man. He feared his popularity
with the gang, and, like greater rulers,
he wanted no rivals near his throne.
“Go up with Black Eagle and see
what’s wrong. I don’t think Hank is
the man to let any one get away with
him. ’ ’
Captain Brandon, immediately after
his encounter with Henry Kyle, swam
across the Blue Water, intending to go
down on the opposite side and recross
When abreast his camp. He reached the
shore without much trouble, though the
water was very cold and the current
swift. As there was no light in his own
camp and the river was quite wide he
could only guess at its location when he
started to swim back. He reached the
Shore, and, rising to his feet, was about
to walk to the corral, when a chorus of
savage yells that rooted him to the spot
rang out and echoed among the recks.
“Su'Tender, surrender, or we’ll open
fire!” shouted Bouton from the center
of the stockade.
“Hold! Hold! We surrender!” called
Cut the men under Howard Blanchard.
A dozen torches were lit inside the
corral, and revealed Bouton and his
gang in full possession cf the central
stockade, in which were the women and
children, and where the captain had
counted on making his last stand.
“Fly, Howard! Fly!” shouted Alice
from the stockade.
The captain saw a man leaping over
the wall and heard the crack of a dozen
rifles.
“That is Howard Blanchard, and
they are following him,” said the cap-
tain aloud. Then he shouted: “This
way. Howard! This way!”
Howard Blanchard recognized the
voice of his friend, and ran toward
him. He would certainly have been
overtaken by his pursuers had not the
captain raised his rifle and brought the
foremost to the ground.
“Come, Howard!” cried the captain,
seizing the young man’s arm. “Keep
beside me. ’ ’ And together they vanished
in the darkness.
So thoroughly had Patch’s plan work-
ed that the immigrant camp was taken
Without the firing of a shot, and a cheer
announced the fact to the men under
Font Robb.
“Light fires about the corral!” shout-
ed Bouton.
The fires were lit and the glare add-
ed to the alarm of the children, who,
with frightened cries, were clinging to
their equally alarmed mothers.
Approaching the place where Alice
.Blanchard and her sister were trying to
allay the fears of their friends, Bouton
raised his hat, and, with a bow intend-
ed to be very gallant, said:
“Don't feel scared, ladies. I’m a gen-
tleman, and I promise that no harm
shall come to you. ’ ’
Bouton heard a deep bass voice be-
hind him, and trembled, and the next
instant the Prophet towered up before
him.
“What did you want with me?” said
the Prophet, and he threw his long rifle
into the hollow of his left arm, and,
--^witli his right hand grasping the lock,
h^-lpoked with mingled fierceness and
contemja-zt at the outlaw leader.
“I wainL to tell you, ” said Bouton,
who did noV want to lose his character
for firmness^ in the eyes of the men
crowding arouuA. “that it will be safer
for you to leave camp and to re.
main away. ” \ '
“Safer?” repeated) the Prophet.
“Yes, that is whaif-, i said.”
“I have never considered my own
safety in coming or/goiUg through these
hills. I have iie^er thought of danger
from man whe/]f fcit that I was obey-
igg thebejft?sts of the great Jehovah.
Did&Hfamk that I dreaded thee or thy
bandits? Why should I flee, I, who nev-
er feared the face of mortal man?”
Bouton waved his hand and half turn-
ed on his heel.
‘ ‘ I shall go, ’ ’ said the Prophet solemn-
ly. “I can be of no use at present to the
oppressed. I shall go, Bouton, but I
will return, and when I come within
reach of your people’s fire you will be
within the reach of this.” tie patted
the long weapon resting in the hollow
of his arm and continued, ‘‘For every
indignity you offer to the people now in
thy power a life will be taken. ”
The Prophet stepped back, and kept
Stepping back until he was over the cor-
ral wall and lost in the darkness.
“Let him go,” said Bouton, with a
laugh. “Let him go and rave to the
rocks and trees, as is his habit. But I
command you, men, if he ever comes
within reach again shoot him down as
you would a wolf. ’ ’
and let us return
"tae ■ 1, TCped ' ttoir sister Noi-a and her tasted, if she
maelS * I W °na I teposiug now thafVal-
iins of i xi I entine Kyle remains in exile, and he
i “ n i "will it he s wise. The two Blanchard
well grassed valley far up ■ irls ar0 t( M i(Jta but is
■ . Nora. The man that gets Nora Kyle for
nta-shaped lake a hnndrecT yards wide i ! ‘‘Wd yTnot come through the can- | ‘X ^^7X^2“ " “
‘ ‘No; we entered a cave miles away, I
We had no lights and horse to that part of the line where
“1“’ th8 i H™T Ky>“ ™ evidently in
Prophet taking the lead. How he ever I verv low spirits>
TWaJ ^irou^h. Stygian j “A penny for your thoughts,” laughed
labyrm hl cannot explain. But here we Bouton, reining in and playfully slap-
are, and only your presence assures me 1 • — .. . . r J i
ther fed by a waterfall that leaped from, that wo are not in another world. ”
the summit of the wall, starting as a I j They washed their hands and faces in
the pool and were surprised to find the
water quite tepid to the touch and some-
what saline to the taste. In less than
half an hour the Prophet again appeared i
and called to them to follow him. He
led them into the place where the fire
was burning and t3e grateful aroma of
broiling venison filled the air. On wood-
en dishes ranged about the altar they
found an abundance of cooked meats and
delicious trout. They would have set to
work eating with western promptness
had not the Prophet called out in a sol-
horse sense, but I ain’t much on the
and beat me out and out on book learn-
y I MB
4
___
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Ousley, Clarence. Galveston Tribune. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 16, No. 199, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 14, 1896, newspaper, June 14, 1896; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1264653/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rosenberg Library.