Pittston Gazette

              ITABLISHEDiaiSO. » OL. XL*VI. NO. 43 f Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO„ PA., FRIDAY. JUNE 19, 1896. It Weekly local and Family Journal. {"ffSS&SaS to startle you," Mid Kenry, taming and watching the white cloud of trouble that swept over his mother's faco pealed to the courts and. demanded an investigation. The courts granted the order, and the old lawyer found the calm current of his prosperity vexod by opposing rocks. "Yes, sir." "You look as if you might be a brother of Henry Kyle.'' " neip is aesirame. cut what" "it" you fall into the hands of these desperadoes?" "1 must guard against that,"said Louis coolly. ' 'Do yon know of any murder in your family?" mind that this man might be made available. spoke he wheeled and faced the gang with his eyes flaming and his rifle in the hollow of his left arm. "You cannot go there. " "Who can prevent?" "Oh, no! Why should the name of a place affect me?" She stroked her forehead nervously and then asked with an evident effort at composure, "And what is the name of the people?" "I am," replied Louis, and the blush on the down covered cheeks deepened. "You live with your father far back in tho heart of the mountains?" "I do not" "Prophet," he said, "you have often told me that your heart bled for the distressed and that you loved these solitudes because they shut you out from the misery you could ally." "And I told thee the truth." "Bat is not the danger great?" "You are sure?" He said one day to his sons "Very great, captain; but it will bo no greater tonight than it was when I came here in tho full blaze of the sun. Those fellows know where I am. Let them get me if they can." "I am certain." "I am left sole executor of John Weldon's cut ate. It was left to his grandsons, Valentine and Frederick. The latter is dead, and if tho former is not wo can safely count on never seeing him again. He is a murderer and will not risk his life to gain any wealth. The will can still be set aside, bat only by Dr. Blanchard's children. They are the rightful heirs." "You married John Weldon's granddaughter, Mary?" "I did." "I!" "Blanchard," replied Henry. "The old gentleman is called Dr. Blanchard. " "Dr. Blanchard!" "Yes, captain, and I have lived there since my earliest recollections." "And you say yoa have ridden hard?" "Very hard, sir." "Prevent me, then. But let me sty this: No man ever lived to fire at me,* second time. Long before you came to these mountains I was here, and here ! will be long after the wolves have eaten thy carcass and left thy white bones glistening on the mountain side." "Who killed Frederick Weldon?" "I do not know that he waa killed." "'What has become of Valentine Weldon and his wife and two sons?" "I do not know. " With earnest, clear cut, Saxon phrase Louis Kyle told his story, and then asked the Prophet if he would go to the mining camp to the south or to the forts to the east to get assistance. ' 'Yoa cannot travel as well by night." No effort, even had one been made, conld hide the emotion that Mrs. Kyle now felt. All the color fled from her face, aud her hands trembled so that she had to interlock her fingers to keep them steady. "Then you must eat and rest After that you can tell me the object of yoar visit In the meantime let me say that you are welcome to our camp, no matter what your object may be." "I can travel better. My horse and I know every rock, stream and defilo from the Yellowstone geysers to the place where Caster and his gallant fellows died on the Big Horn. Trust me for that" "Now, let mo tell yoa, Dr. Blanchard, that since you left West Virginia your wife's body has been exhumed, and it has been discovered that she died from the effects of poison supposed to have been administered by yoa"— "Soldiers are and ever have been the hired murderers of despots. I cannot go near them. Why invoke the aid of man when the hand of Jehovah rests on the mountains, where the weakest may seize it?" No words can adequately convey tha effect of this defiance. The man looked like an inspired lion, and the desperadoes drew back like jack&la The voice rang out like a huge blast, and the antude was the very ideal of heroic ooatempt The Prophet waited as though to see if a hand would be raised, and u "Bat they have left it all behind them and fled," said Tom Bliss, who was very much like his father. Captain Brandon turned and introduced the doctor and his children, Clara having joined them as they entered the camp. CHAPTER L the sailor when after long watching the dim shores of the prayed for land comes in sight, the people greeted the tirst glimpses of the blue mountain to the west, and with thankful hearts they beheld the clear streams and the verdant valleys that mark the foothills of the great Rockies. "Did you ever hear of the name before?" asked Henry. As they conversed the sun went down, and it became so dark that work on the nearly completed structure had to be suspended. It is surprising how soon the most inexperienced will perceive the necessities of such an emergency. No one thought of starting a fire or making a light Even the children hashed their prattle as they lay on the blankets inside the defense. As soon as the stars were out Louis Kyle shook hands with the immigrants—Alice's was the last hand he took—and bidding It was some years after the great civil war, though that it was not long after can be inferred from the fact that but one railroad had as yet laid its iron muscles across the great plains from the Missouri to the mountains. The cattle herds of the ranchers had ijot yet taken the place of the swarming black buffalo on the tampas. There were no settlements aloug the rivers where now stately cities rise, and the only means of conveyance and transportation were the saddle and the prairie schooner, as the great canvas topped "wagons that conveyed the immigrants, goods and family were then called. "I—I think I hava" ' 'That is no bar. The courts will hunt them up, though the courts cannot force them to press their claims. " Nora was about to speak, but was interrupted by the joyous barking of a dog outside, and the sound of voices near by gave her an excuse to ciy out: Unaccustomed to the forms that rale in society, but witn a courtliness that was natural and graceful, Louis Kyle shook hands with each, and if he held Alice's hand a little longer than he did the others it was because he was so magnetized by the touch, so fascinated by the beauty of her form and faoe, as to be wholly unconscious of the act Bowing by way of apology for what he was about to CTo, he said to the captain: "Could I speak with yoa privately?" "Certainly," replied the captain. "Come this way." "Who brings such news?" asked the doctor, shocked at the horrible charge and astounded at the man's knowledge of his relations. "I have told my story," said the young man, biting his lip and turning to examine the bridle and saddle "It wouldn't be a bad thing for us," interposed Sim Bliss, who was thought to bo very shrewd because he spoke but little, "if the whole party was gobbled up by the Indians." "And I have heard it Go to ther and leave me here to pray f before this mountain altar fire. Ay fa-  ihook I horse ■BNrm Fi a. attitude Jfl flying IjPrBiif I I ; hare ¥ WffllflF :*f1 aot his 1 11 \Cv \ ■ is it: WnlV^f within fr /lare of yfty f\'S j an over- ' "Father and Louis! They will be glad to see you. " "Two young lawyers," replied Boa- ton. "Their names?" "1 do not care to give them, but they are with full authority to take you back." Alice and Clara were as beautiful semi blonds as one could me«t with, and it was impossible that they could belong to a party in which there were single men without attracting attention. The girl went to the door, where her father and brother greeted her fondly, and she then led them into the room where was her truant brother. Louis Kyle was a few years younger than his bother and equally handsome, but his face had a stronger and more serious expression. He welcomed Henry cordially, but the look on the father's face was not one of pleasure. Mr. Kyle was a tall, well made man of 50, with iron gray hair and shoulders slightly stooped. The story of a great grief was plainly written on his face. The Prophet waved his hand dropped on his knees and lowere head Withont a word Louis swtumi himself into the saddle, the bridle rein, and his rested wheeled and shot into the darknet There was so much more in this than the mere words would ordinarily convey that the old lawyer and his son Tom fairly gasped for breath. It was Tom who first recovered and said: "You say they are lawyers?" interposed Captain Brandon. "I do." Ten days before reaching the mountains the train was joined by two young men—"hunters," as they called themselves. They were clad in the typical picturesque dress of the dandies of their class, and one of them, apparently the elder, was a strikingly handsome young man of four and twenty. Ho was of medium hetght, finely built, and an admirable horseman. He introduced himself as Henry Kyle and his burly companion as Font Robb. "They could be stopped. " "They could be so fixed as never to be heard of again," joined in Sim. The Prophet remained in his of devotion until the clanging ol hoofs had died out, and he migL retained his position longer had quick ear caught the sound proaching steps. He sprang to grasping his rifle in the act, ant a few seconds was out of the g the fire and in the shadow of hanging rock. "Tell them to bring their authority to me, and if it is authentic I will aid them in their efforts. " "I have come to warn you at a great danger. It is one that you may be guarded against, but I doubt if the ordinary precaution will meet it Bouton's gang and fully a score of renegade Indians are in the mountains to the south, aud they are hastening tfiis way with all the speed of their horses.'' It was an evening in early June. The setting ran was throwing a shadow from the giant mountains to the westward over the clear tributaries of the Missouri, when a large train went into camp in a valley that afforded abundant water and pasture for their cattle and hone*, while the slopes of the surrounding foothills were covered with fuel, only necessary at this time for cooking purposes. This was known as Dr. Blanchard's train. "The girls should be watched over and cared for. Ah, if you boys had only succeeded in whining them," sighed the old lawyer, "the whole estate would be in our hands and we might snap our fingers at the whole Weldon clan!" A fire had been started and about it the outlaws and renegade TnHin.n« were reclining and smoking as calmly as if the night's work were nu ordinary occurrence. Close by," the horses and pack mules were staked in the long bunch grass, many of them lying down, fatigued by their long drive. Henry Kyle, with a cloud on his handsome face, Bat back in the shadows talking to Font Robb. "Are we to have you with uj long?" asked Mr. Kyle, addressing Henry. "No, sir. 1 was near here and came to see how you all were." "It is not too late yet," said Tom, and thereupon he whispered a plan that met the approval of his father and brother. "Who comes there?" he demanded in a voice determined and military. ' 'I, Black Eagle, the Shoshone," was the reply, and the next instant the yonng Indian was before the fire. "Comest thou alone?" "Qo to thy fathcrr' These young men said they were going into northern Idaho to prospect during the coming fall and winter, and they asked to be permitted to accompany Dr. Blanchard's party, the doctor at that time having in mind Washington territory as his destination. "How do you know this?" "I cannot explain it to you now," said Louis Kyle, averting his face expression of unutterable loathing swept over his f aoe as he wheeled and resumed his onward march. "I siipiiose we should be thankful," said Mr. Kyle with a sneer. "It must have caused you an effort to leave your companions." The result of this plan was that within a week Tom and Sim Bliss, with plenty of money in their pockets, were speeding out for tho Black Hills. They had learned of the course taken by Dr. Blanohard and his family, and steam and stage enabled them to get to the mountains while the train under Captain Brandon was drawing its slow length across the scorching plains. They met with Henrv Kvle and Font Robh at Ueaawood ana by them were introduced to Bouton's gang, as these outlaws were called. "But you should give me your reasons for your fears as well as the warning," urged the captain. "I did not think I could do it, Font, but he ran his horse at me and I had to fire. I fired, though I knew the man on that horse was my own brother. But, so help me God, I did not want to hurt him," said Henry Kyle, evidently much excited by his own words. Howard Blanchard was the first to discover the approach of the wild figure, and it was so strange and startling—so different from anything he bad ever beheld—that, in his momentary alarm, he would have raised his arm and fired had not Captain Brandon seized the weapon and called out: C Dr. Blanchard was a handsome man of middle age, who up to the time of his going westward had lived, as had his forefathers for many generations before him, near Wheeling and what is now West Virginia The civil w:ir, in which the doctor did not hike part— though, unlike most of his family, his sympathies were with the Union—bad left him impoverished, and, what was worse, without friends where he should most expect them. His wife had just died—it might be said of a broken heart. At the bediming of the war Mrs. Blanchard hud two brothers, Frederick and Valentine Weldon. Frederick Weldon, or Fred, as ho was called, strongly favored secession, and his brother as strongly opposed it "Let us not blame him, "broke in Mrs. Kyle. "There is hut little to occupy a young nuui of spirit here." "I'do." "Do not ask me to do that I want yon to believe in my integrity. To explain all might lead you to doubt all, for the honor of one's own name should be very precious." "Then go thou to the other side of the fire, for thy acts have brought a fire between thee and me." As Henry Kyle and Font Robb were well mounted and good hunters, who could find game if there was any within reach, they were permitted to remain and at once, with an easy, western familiarity, proceeded to make themselves at home. "There is duty," interrupted the younger brotlii r. "Any man who wants a higher incentive would be incapable of appreciating it." Alice's teas the last hand he took. them be of good cheer he sprang on hi horse, forced him at the oorral wal and flew over. The young Indian obeyed promptly, and the Prophet advanced to the fire. "I understand you. Here, give me your hand Again." The captain took the young man's hand and continued, "It is a terrible thing, a very terrible thing, for brothers to be arrayed one against tho other." "But didn't Louis fire at you?" asked Font Robb. "I am and want to continue ypur friend," said Black Eagle, with an expression of awe and wonder on his keen face. "Hold! That is the Prophet and my friend!" C "Ah, Louis," laughed Henry, "we are differently constituted! The blood of the Scotch-Irish Covenanters freezes in your veins; the red current of the French burns through mine. I love you better for being what you are. If we were alike, these mountains would be too small to hold us.'' A dead silence fell upon the camp Men And women bent to catch the rapid beating of the horse's hoofs along thC face of the mountain behind them. "He could not distinguish me in the darkness. Ho fired at the crowd that leaped out to tear him from his horse There is not another man in the mountains could have stuck to his saddle and plunged through as Louis did. I almost felt proud that he was my brother when he hurled me to the ground and shot down a Sioux by my side " With the activity of a youth, and all the more surprising in one of his size, the Prophet laid his hand on the atone wall that surrounded the corral and vaulted over. i CHAPTER II. There was a time when the hunters and trappers were the real heroes of the far west These, even at the time of which I write, hail given place to adventurous miners and to a class of men who were as bold in their defiance of law as were Robin Hood and his men in the middle ages. Henry Kyle and Font Robb were men of this class and were well known to Captain Brandon by reputation; but for reasons that will be given hereafter, he permitted them to accompany him, and though he knew that they were stealing away hi the dead of night—a most unnecessary proceeding, by the way—did not raise a hand to stay them. They rode through the mountains till daylight when Heuiy Kyle took his friend's hand and said: The brothers congratulated themselves on their good luck. They found the tools they needed already to their hand The half formed plans took definite shape when they met with the outlaws. The crimes from which cowardice might niake them shrink in the east here became the easiest possibilities. They sent Henry Kyle and Font Robb to spy out the train, and the result has already been given. Ten minutes passed. To Alice it seemed an age, for to her the most prominent figure of the day was missing."Can the man be my friend who associates with my foes? Talk not to me of friendship! You came here in pursuit of Louis Kyle," said the Prophet, dropping his usual form of the pronoun. "The Prophet mistakes," replied Black Eagle "We saw the fire from far down the valley. Never do I remember seeing one before in this place, so I name to learn what it might mean." "I would die to save my brother,' said Louis excitedly, "but better that ho and all of the name should perish than that a great wrong should be done " The Prophet inquired about the strength of the foroe and made some shrewd suggestions m to further action. "If you were like me, this valley," said Louis, "would be a kingdom large enough." "I agree with you. Better that all should perish than that a wrong should tie dona Better the name should be blotted out if its purity cannot be maintained But pardon the digression. When men reach my age, they are apt to philosophize I do not want to be considered garrulous." No answer was given. There was no need of an answer to tell them what it waa The honest heart stopped for an instant, then beat more rapidly with dread as shrill cries and the roar of rifles came from the direction which Louis Kyle bad taken "Hark!" cried one "What was that?' "Don't let the boys hear you talk that way,'' urged Font Robb. During the day neither Captain Brandon nor his men showed themselves above the wall, but the children, who could not be restrained inside the central stockade, moved about without being molested. At times the riflemen up on the cliffs fired down a random shot, as if to show that he was still cm the lookout Leaving the brothers to talk, Mrs. Kyle beckoned to her husband to follow her. She led him into another apartment, the floor of which was carpeted with the softest furs, then cautiously closing the door, said: One night Valentine returned home from Charleston, whither he had ridden on horseback with his brother. The brother never returned, but some months afterward a body was found down the river which could not be reoognized except by its tattered garments, and from these it was believed to be the corpse of Frederick Weldon. The skull was fractured, and an impression went abroad that he had been killed by his brother This impression was strengthened by the fact that immediately after the disappearance of Frederick, Valentine, with his wife, two little sons and a baby daughter, suddenly disappeared and was never beard of again in that land. Valentine had been advertised for. T1 rough the death of his father, who died without knowing that one of his sons was dead, a large estate was left to the two brothers. "I am not afraid of the boys, curse itl Can't a man admire address and courage—particularly in his own brother—without fellows getting mad at "And now that thou hast learned?" '"Now I will return to the camp of the white men." "We can have them in our power," said Tom Bliss when he had Henry Kyle out of hearing. him?" "Aye, return and say to Bouton and his murderers that you found Daniel the Prophet kneeling beside his altar fire. And further say that he was praying that the Great Spirit might destroy the Ishmaelites, who thirst for the blood ''Dr. Blanchard, his son and two daughters are near by on their way to Oregon." "*iNor are you. Your thoughts, Captain Brandon, are such as I daily thint- But you have warned me not to speak of myself when more important matters are concerned." CHAPTER V. "But yonr brother has come out against us strong." "Yes, but tho job will not be easy." The shouting and firing along the mountain side continued for some minutes, during which time Captain Brandon and his friends listened in breathleas silence When the sounds died out, Alioe Blanchard, who was standing beside the captain, said to him: "Let him stay there until it is dark, and I will make it hot for him," said the captain, when about sunset another bullet whizzed over the camp. True to his word, the captain crept out with the dusk. He assured his friends he would be back in an hour or two and told Howard filanchard to take command till he returned. , "The doctor has lots of money. " "He was always against us, but as we had never harmed him he did not bother. Now he'll give us trouble " "My God!" sobbed the man. "My sister Mary's husband! My sister Mary's children!" "So I understand But I say, Bliss, you can have all tho money; for me, 1 am going to have the eldest daughter." "Alice!" exclaimed Tom Bliss. "Yes, Alice, or I'll die trying," replied Henry Kyla "You mistake me," interposed the captain. But the young m»n waved his hand and continued: "And you and him is at outs forever?" "Here we part for the present Font It is nearly a year since I have seen the old folks, and I am going home." "But they will not come near us," she said soothingly. "At outs forever, Font From my earliest years he was my playmate, my bedfellow, my other sell Together we said our prayers by the same mother's knee—little good the prayers did ma but it doesn't hurt to remember them. Now Louis and 1 are foes." and the spoils of those journeying to the promised land." "From the fresh trails I passed not two hours ago I am certain that we are now under the eyes of Bou ton's gang. ' "I shall go." Mr. Kyle took a turn across the room; then coming back he cried out: "Do you think harm can have come to our friend?" "Go and come not again near me! Go, Black Eagle, to thy fellows 1 Onoe thou wert a child. I fed and clothed and taught thee. Now thou hast rejected my teachings and fled. So go, and come not near me again forever 1" "I hope you'll find 'em all right" said Robb, adding, with a smile, "I hope they won't win you away from the boys." "Well, Mr. Kyle," said Tom, trying to smile, but making a wretched failure of the effort, "you and I can't differ about a small matter when wo art' agreed about many great ones. I hope We shall always be friends. If wo are not it shall not be for tho want of a strong desire on my part. " "Be told me that if he were attacked and passed through the line of the outlaws successfully, he would signal me from the high mountain ten miles to the south." "My heart goes out to them All the past rises in judgment before ma It was but yesterday that I fled through the storm and darkness with this right arm red with the blood of my brother!" "You could not be mistaken?" "If the young man makes a mistake, I will correct him," said the Prophet i "No. His Indian allies are scouting within rifle range and waiting for their loader to come out" Two hours passed, but the captain did not return. Midnight came and morning neared, bat still he was absent. And the Prophet raised his hands and said: "I fear me a great misfortune has befallen u& We may never see the brave captain again." Without any comment, Henry Kyle raised his bridle arm and his splendid horse darted away and was soon lost to sight among the hills. Ho rode until the summer sun looked straight into the deepest canyons and rifts of that wondrous land and flashed on a lake that was walled in by mountains that rose skyward like an impassable barrier. "And when do you think they will be here?" CHAPTER VI The Indian lowered his head and withdrew, but he had not been gone many minutes when the Prophet followed on his trail with strides swift and silent An Valentine Kyle, or Valentine Weldon, to give him his trne nam®, spoke he buried his face in his big brown hands and cried as if his heart were breaking. The wife and husband were still talking when a bright Indian girl, known as Kushat, came into the room and told them that dinner was ready. "Signal you ten miles away through the blackness that hangs over valley and hilir Before Louis Kyle lit the signal fire that was to convey the news of his safe arrival to his friends he made sure that none of Bonton's gang was within reach. At his elevation the air was raw and cold, and the yonng man drew near to the flames with his hands extended to catch the grateful heat Dr. Blanchard's wife was a sister of the Weldons, but had been entirely ignored in her father's will, a fact that no doubt added to the unsettled condition of the doctor's mind and forced him to go westward with his children. These children were a son Howard, at this time a tall, handsome young man of two and twenty, and two daughters, Alice and Clara, aged respectively 1? and 19. '■That is all right, Mr. Blisa I am as anxious for harmony as any man in this outfit, but I want to see through your motive if I can," said Henry Kyle "Before another sun rises." "And what would yoa advise?" The captain spoke in a lower tone than usual, and, bending forward, he anxiously watched the young man's face. "Yea Wait and y«u can Bee it if he baa succeeded," said the captain, realizing that a more than common interest agitated the girl by his si da Black Eagle returned to the outlaw camp and was telling, with awe written on his countenance, what he had seen, when a step was beard in the darkness, and before an exclamation of surprise could be uttered the Prophet stood in their midst His erect, gigantic form was particularly distinguished by contrast with a large number of men, and the light in his eyes looked as if caused by fires behind. The outlaws, from the leader down, had a dread of this man, who more than once had appeared among them to utter incomprehensible prophecies or to deter them from their contemplated deeds of death and plunder. The Prophet looked slowly About him, as if reading the thoughts in every face. The silence was becoming painful, when Bouton broke it by saying: "We are glad to see the Prophet again." "I am willing to explain anything you do not understand," responded Tom Bliss, and he smiled again and stroked his rusty mustache. "But, Mr. Kyle, you shoul4 have made your inquiries before you took my money and began this job." CHAPTER VTL Between the mountains and the lake there was a belt of valley many hundreds of acres in extent, with clumps of trees here and there that gave it a parklike effect There were cattle and sheep in the meadows, and the emerald expanse was seamed with sinuous streams that flashed down from the distant snowpeaks and poured their cool trout filled currents into the lake. From one of the groves a pillar of smoke arose, marking the site of a human habitation. When Henry Kyle saw this, he left the trail he had been following and galloped for the grove. The cattle and sheep raised their heads and looked after him in wonder. "If there were time, I would advise you to push rapidly to the west and so shake these hounds from your trail." The long minutes dragged by, painfully measured by the audible beating of Alice's heart Nearly an hour had passed since the firing—to her it seemed an age. Her hands were becoming cold, and she compressed her lips to keep them from trembling In a former chapter it was said that Captain Brandon placed the utmost reliance in all but one of his men, and to this man he could not openly show his suspicion. His name was Patch, and he was employed at Omaha to drive one of the mule teams. Short, thickset sod bullet headed, Patch looked an ideal prizefighter, an effect heightened by a broken nose and the absence of front teeth Patch was very taciturn beyond the professional swearing at his mules, profanity being considered on the plains as essential to the mule's progress and usefulness as harness. He rarely spoke, and he never joined the people about the campfire in the evenings. Though he had just passed through a danger that lor many an hour afterward would have occupied the thoughts of an ordinary man and been repeated for many a night in his dreams, Louis Kyle's mind was filled with another and to him a greater subject During the meal this girl followed Henry Kyle with her black eyes, and there was that in the gaze that told of a more than ordinary interest in the handsome young man. After dinner Henry Kyle saddled his horse, bade his family goodby and was soon flying into the mountains from which he had come. "But do you think, if we were to break camp now and push on with all speed, that we could do this?" for the purpose of protection, a number of other wagons had joined Dr. Blanchard's train at Omaha, and before setting out they had elected the doctor to be their chief and a man known as Captain Brandon to be their guide Captain Brandon was a tall, bronzed man, with a grizzled beard, one eye, and a very quiet manner. Though evidently in the prime of life, his hair was snowy white, which, added to "J have so far done my work-" "I do not" "What then?" "True. Now the point is, are yon willing to continue the work under the "Was that a light?" "I would at once build a strong corral on the bank of the river and place within it all your wagons, stock other property." Ik was Alice who cried out She thought she saw a flash—it might have been a meteor—far away to the south But it passed so quickly that she could scarce say such a thing had been. " I wish my mother and father could see her," he mused. "Nora, I am sure, would love her. Who could help loving her? How can 1 tell her my feelings? What reply would she make if she knew them?" CHAPTER m. Henry Kyle's splendid horse flew over the mountain trail that dark night with all the ease and certainty of a great bird cleaving the air. After three hours of ceaseless galloping the young man saw, far to the front and far down from the hill along which his horse coursed, a campfire, and the ruddy light revealed a group of men, their rifles flashing on the trees like queer igneous fruit, while in the background the outline of a group of grazing horses could be made out Suddenly a figure in hunter's dress appeared on the trail, and Henry Kyle, reining in his horse with his left hand while his right dropped back to the stock of his pistol, called out: mat is sensible. "And within the corral I should erect a defense commanding every foot of the inclosure and large enough to hold all your people." "Seel There it is, captain. There it isf" exclaimed Howard Blanc hard, and, unmindful of the danger, all rose to their feet The light on the distant mountain side rose and fell, at times threatening to go out but rising to a greater height and burning with greater clearness after each threatened relapse, until at length it sent a steady, inspir ing glare across the darkness. Louis Kyle was thinking aloud, and he was so absorbed that he did not hear a soft step behind him nor know that another was near till he heard the words: D A large double log house occupied a clear space in the grove, and back of this was a barn. The surrounding gardens showed thrift and the vines and flowers indicated more refinement in the occupants of the place than is usually seen in that wild land. As Henry Kyle was hitching his hprse to a tree before the house a beautiful girl of 17 or 18 ran out, and, with a cry of "My brother! My brother!" she threw her arms about him. "Good again." His great delight was to sit on the wagon box and chew tobacco. He actually devoured great black slabs of it. From this perch he would watch the immigrants, or rather he would watch one of them, Clara Blanchard. He followed her every movement with his red rimmed eyes, and at times was so fascinated as to fall into a mesmeric state and sleep on the box all night "A doaen good rifles can keep the gang at bay." "Until all our provisions are exhaust- ed?" "Better warm the blood by riding than by a fire at such a time," "Glad!" repeated the Prophet "That is what I said " "And you would have me believe the lie?" "Yes, if you cannot get help in the meantime." Louis Kyle leaped back with his hand to his pistol—the rifle was fastened to his saddle—but he smiled at his own alarm as he recognized the familiar figure before him. It was tall and gaunt, clad in skins and with a wild tangle of red hair and beard masking the face. The eyes were black and piercing, and a heavy yellow chain, from which a cross was suspended, hung about his neck. An old fashioned powder horn and bullet pouch were fastened to his rawhide belt, and he carried, like a staff, a long muzzle loading rifle, such as was once so popular with the hunters of the west There was no guessing the man's age, but the erect form, the broad breast and the expression of the hairy, muscular hands told that he had not pet passed the prime of life He was known to many by the name which he gave himself. Daniel the Prophet, but very few knew him personally, and uo one but himself knew how he lived or where was his dwelling place There was a tradit ion that Daniel the Prophet had suffered gn at wrongs at the hands of the Mormons to the south and that he had started an opposition religion, the chief tenet of which was that life should be devoted to celibacy and solitude. If such were his belief, he certainly acted on it, for he was but seldom seen, and his manner of coming and going was so mysterious that the hunters, trappers and prospectors of that land held him in awe if not in veneration."But where can we look for help?" "He has gone through safely," said the captain. "You are taking advantage of an old privilege now," said Bouton, a greener tinge coming to his face. "If you cannot be a gentleman, you must remain away." "I will find it," said Louis Kyle, clinching his hands, while his eyes blazed with resolution. "Thank God I" cried Alice And the others, according to temperament expressed their delight at Louis Kyle's success. Patch submitted to Captain Brandon's disciplina He had a dread of the tall guide, and would have offered no resistance had that person kicked him, but behind this show of obedience the debased spirit was in revolt He would have deserted at once but for the fascination that kept him within the sight of Clara Blanchard Through his dim brain the thought crept "If I was to help bust this outfit up, them Bouton chaps mout let me have charge of her like a kinder reward " "But whe?e can you find it?"' asked the captain, who still maintained hia quiet but deeply interested manner. "A gentleman I" exclaimed the Prophet and he hastily brushed the red beard from his lips and showed his even, white teeth "A gentleman that remained voluntary for an hour in such company would lose his character on earth and be damned through all the aeons of eternity." "Glad to see you, Nora," said Henry Kyle, kissing her; then holding her at arm's length, while admiration filled his eyes, he continued: "Is that you, Bouton?" "Yes. We're waiting for you," replied the tall figure in a gruff yoica Alice Blauchard forgot the surrounding danger in the joyous relief from the anxiety that had been weighting her heart and a reaction set in that made her fearless for the time Tom Bltis. same conditions? If you are, why, I shall bo glad to make your reward commensurate with your efforta If you aro not no harm has been done " "We can have them in our power," mid "My father will come to the rescue " He is only one man." "Aye, but he is a giant in strength and a lion at heart We have a doaen Indians and half breeds on our place, on every one of whom we can count to the death. These are all armed. But 1 should not wholly rely on them. I should send couriers asking for aid to the mining camps, 60 miles to the northwest, and to the military posts at Keogh and on the Yellowstone. "Why, yon grow more and more beautiful every time I see you. Ah, it's a pity that so fair a mountain flower should be shut in from the admiration of the world!" Henry Kyle dismounted, and as the two drew nearer to the fire the light glowed on the fierce brown face of Bouton, a lawless half breed but too well known to tho settlers in these mountains.DHe Introduced himself as Henry Kyle. a slight deafnCDss, made him appear much older. There was a livid scar running from his right brow to his chin It had severed the eyeball, destroying the eye, and left an ineffaceable gash on the brown cheek. "Haiti Who goes there?" demanded Captain Brandon in a ringing voice as he saw a dusky form moving swiftly between the corral and the neighboring cliff. The figure disappeared, and no reply came back- Tom Bliss stopped, for Font Robb came up, and not knowing that he was intruding on a private conversation or perhaps not caring for it—all Bonton's men did pretty much as they pleased and claimed to have no secrets, and so there could be no privacy—he called out: "If you chaps want anything to eat you'd better come over. Thar ain't too much cooked, and the boys is jist a-wadin in." ' 'Then why do you come?" "I come, as before, to warn you." "The world!" she repeated. "This is my world," and she lifted her eyes with an expression of adoration from the valley to the mountains. "Away from this homo I could not be happy." "The boys are in a hurry," continued tho half breed. ".We have not heeded your warnings, yet we survive and prosper." ' 'Aye, as the wolf prospers away from the hunter. But if the hunter pursue, the wolf cannot long escape. What harm have the peaceful people under Captain Brandon done that ye, claiming to be men, should war on their women and children? Ye who have sisters and remember your mothers—be they living or sainted—depart hence at once, for if ye do not ruin will come, as my soul liveth. " The Prophet drew himself up, and as he looked about him his eyes fell on Henry Kyle, who had withdrawn to the edge of the crowd Seeing him, the Prophet called out: While watching his mules that day Patch discovered something which had escaped the notioe of Captain Brandon and which could not have been thought of by Bouton's party—vis, the river, on which the semicircular corral wall abutted, was so shallow at the upper part of the camp and for many yards up the river that it could be waded without reaching a depth above the knee, and in this way the place could be surprised and taken in the rear. Patch was on guard the first half of the night and it can be Baid that he was too much absorbed in the contemplated treachery to give any thought to the duties or dangers of his position. He listened eagerly to everything that was said, and the instant he was relieved he resolved to test the practicability of his own schema He succeeded in reaching the outlaw camp and was brought before Bouton, who at once asked: "What's up?" " Watch 1" said the captain. "Stand every man carefully at his post I think I hear them coming this way." Among the people in the caravan there was a very general impression that the scar and the lost eye were chargeable to the military services in which this strange man had won his rank. Captain Brandon's reserve amounted to positive taciturnity, which gave him the appearance of coolness and strength that attaches to most silent men "They aro afraid the immigrant train may escape us, and that mustn't bo, for it is the richest outfit that has been seen in these hills for many a day.'' "Are the Blisses in camp?" "Well, well! Where one is content a knowledge of better things may not be prudent But tell me, how is mother?" "You aro a born soldier; but your plans involve a long time, do they not?" The neighing of a horse and the im patient stamping of hoofs 100 yards off attracted the captain's attention. "Yes, to a man starving it would be a long time, but it would not be so long to strong, well fed men battling for their lives and the honor of their women," said Louis Kyle with an  of energy and earnestnesa Before the girl could answer a gray haired woman, with a calm, patient face and an indescribable look of having seen better days in other scenes, came out and greeted tho young man with a warmth and tenderness which only a mother can feeL "Yes, Hank." "Why not challenge them?" asked Howard, who, though as brave as steel, was naturally very nervous in this novel situation. "I can't seo why two Virginia lawyers should como opt to this country and join a gang that is notoriously lawless," said Henry Kyle meditatively. Font Robb, to make sure of getting his own share, had carried a large piece of broiled venison in his hand, which he began devouring the moment he ceased speaking. "When do you intend returning?" "We know they are there Thev have no doubt as to our whereabouts. Let us leave the initiative to them," replied Captain Brandon. Being adverse to speaking atmnt himself, there were plenty of imaginative and voluble people to speak for him. According to these authorities, Captain |Jrandon had lived time out of mind on the western plains or in the snowy mountains beyond. What ho did not Jfnow about hunting and Indians was not worth knowing, and there was a ▼ery general belief among them that he oould walk blindfolded from the Atlantic to the Pacific without once making a misstep. "Not till my horse is rested." "About dark?" and the captain looked out at the sun sloping westward "They keep their own secrets. Hank," chuckled Bouton. "Have any of the scouts como in?" asked Henry Kyle as he turned to walk back to the fire with Tom Bliss. "Put away your horse," she said. "You have surely come to stay with us now." "So they do, but I can't see why they should be so eager to get this Dr. Blanchard and his son out of the way." "Black Eagle, the Shoshone, is back. He says that Captain Brandon's party is in camp on the Blue Water." So expeditious were Alice And her litter that in u very short time Louis Kyle was set before the very best dinner that the camp afforded and large enough to satisfy the appetite of ft starved giant Had hia real purpose in ooming been suspected, the women—they were nearly all young—would not have stood there laughing and declaring that the stranger was one of the handsomest men they had seen since leaving homa ' 'It will be better after dark-" The wisdom of this suggestion was soon manifest. From the cliff above the spring a voioe—it was Bouton's—called out: "Only a few hours," he answered. Then he added, with a forced laugh: "I have poo often broken the peace of the valley. I do not think that my father «uid Louis will care to have me with them for even that tima " "And thou art here?" "In order that they may marry the daughters, I suppose. But are the girls so beautiful?" "As you see, Prophet" replied Henry, laughing to hide the blush that crimsoned his cheek. "Then he'll rest there for some days before going on," "Hello, down there!" "Well, what do you want?" asked the captain. "Beautiful as pictures, Bouton—too beautiful to be thought of iu connection with such a brace of ugly curs as these two brothers." said Henry Kyle, the words cdbiing as if from between his sot teeth. "Of course, Hank. As there's no good grass for 180 miles to the west, that's what he'll do; but if he was only a prophet or the son of a prophet, he'd push ahead," said Robb. "Why, Prophet, I am glad to see you, as I am surprised at your coming," said Louis Kyle, advanoing and taking the extended hand. "Away, man, before it is too late! Away ere your hands are reddened by the blood of a brother or his hands be imbued in yours. Tarry not, for thy father's head is bowed, and grief and shame sit on thy mother's heart The beautiful eyes of thy sister are red with much weeping, and she clasps her white hands in sorrow and despair." "I want to know whose camp that "You know they will Ah, Henry, if you would only stay with us we might be very happy I" is." "Are there many more like you over in that camp?" "I am known as Captain Brandon, and you are known as the murderer and desperado Bouton," replied the captain. Daniel—or the Prophet, as we shall call him—always used the Biblical manner in speaking, and there was a dignity in his expression that precluded tho thought of burlt squa Even when his statements were absurd, they carried foroe from the earnestness with which they were uttered. But Captain Brandon was not the "No, boss, there ain't another one. I was mighty lonely over there, and that's why I left" ideal scout presented to us by the writer of western fiction. His dress was not that of a hunter, but was plain, suitable to his work and well fitting. And then, more remarkable still, he spoke with the accent and language of a mail of good education, though there was in his speech a noticeable softening of the letter "r" which is peculiar to the more cultured class in the southern stales. They had now entered the house, and an Indian boy, who acted as a servant, was told by Mrs, Kyle to take charge of the horse. By this time the two men had reached the campflre, and a score of men, bearded and bronzed, greeted Henry Kyle with a cheer that indicated his popularity, if, indeed, it did not imply his leadership. Henry Kyle unsaddled and staked his horse—the first care of a true hunter—and then went to the fire, on which meat was broiling and savory messes steaming in iron pots. "I do not think ho is gifted in that way, but it won't do to underrate him on that account I'd rather have any man in the mountains opposed to mo than this same Captain Brandon, " said Henry Kyle as they reached tho circle of the outlaws about the blazing cainpfira The sun seemed resting in a canopy of opaline clouds on the crest of the western mountains when Louis emerged from the tent So great was the chftiige wrought iu these few hours that he could scarcly credit his eyes. The tents were down and the arbors scattered "If I come as ft foe, you will soon know it There are men enough with me tft sweep over your work as a buffalo herd would over a bank of reeds. But we want no fight" "Left?" repeated Bouton. The Prophet pointed to the mountain, behind which lay Hewy Kyle's home, and in this tragic attitude stood with his long arm extended for some time Bouton saw that Henry Kyle was affected, and knowing his ardent, impulsive nature he hastened to his side and whispered:"Yea Lit out" "I should like to make you all happy, but I am afraid I am an Ishmaelite and can never settle down. Have you not often defended me by telling father it was in the blood?" "You're a deserter, then?" "As full blowed and fresh a one as yon ever clapped eyes on," chuckled the wretch. "I can give yon a few wrinkles that'll open your eyea " "Ah, now you are getting nearer to the truth than is your habit I You like best to rob and plunder where the gain is great and the danger small. " "There is as yet no blood upon thy hand that the physical eye can see. Woe be to him that wareth on his brother!" said the Prophet gloomily. CHAPTER IV. about. "No, Henry. It is not in your blood to err as you have done. Impulse has been the curse of the—the Kyles, but not a one of them has ever been capable of a deliberate wrong," said Mrs. Kyle, coming over and stroking his wavy brown liair. Captain Brandon and Alice Blanchard were admiring the scenery from tho top of a hill overlooking their camp when Howard came up and informed them that a young man had coine into the camp who wished to see the captain. They descended tho hill and made their way to the place where tho pillars of smoke marked tho sight of tho camp As they neared tho tents and huts a young man of graceful form and strong, handsomo face came out to meet them. He extended his hand to the captain— the other hand held his hat—and asked: "Are you Captaiu Brandon?" The corral was up in a semicircle by the river's side, and all the stock were inside of it, with the wagons chained about the central point, where the stockade was lDeiug erected The people were working like beavers and with a coolness that surprised and delighted the young man. The tent in which he had been sleeping was down and removed within the stone inelosure five minutes after he had J«ft it. "Well, what are they?" "There is not enough plunder in your outfit to tempt us. " "Then woe will hot come to ma But what if I should resist the brother who raises his hand against me?" asked Louis Kyla Patch lowered his voioe to make his words more impressive and confidential, and then told of his discovery and offered to guide Bouton and his men. To this remarkable man Dr. Blanchaid felt himself drawn from the first; "You met up with them Mr. Font Robb says you met up with thpm," said a man, laying his hand on Henry's arm. "Oh, you—Mr. Tom Blissl How are you? Yes, I met them. I told you I would if they were on the plains." ' 'I must get this man out of camp." "Then why do you come?" "We come thia time as the friends of law and Juatiea " "Indeed!" "Why not do it, then?" Dut, while his advances were not rudely repulsed, he was met with a well bred (boolness that told very plainly that Captain Brandon wished to be to himself. Curiously enough, this silent man was very fond of children. During the long rides across the rolling prairies he usually had one before him on his saddle, and during the Sunday halts he gathered wild flowers for them and bright seashells in the rocks, where they had been left high and dry by the great salt sea that once swept over that land. "He will not leave while you are hero. Step away before he opens again.'' "But what if you are a spy and want to lead us to destruction?" asked Bouton, who in his heart felt that ths wretch was sincere in his villainy. "Resistance to wrong is a right, not a sin. But when brothers war, heaven averts its face and heeds not the cause. A curse has fallen upou our mountains. Tho outlaw has made it his home and the gold seeker stains the purity of our waters. Tarry not, Louis Kyle, but carry to thy father the story that will bring him grief. Go, and I will hold the path between thee and thy pursuers," said the Prophet, motioning back with his extended hand "And I am to begin my work at once?" asked Henry as he tightened his belt "I might be happy in this valley if I oould persuade a young beauty whom I recently met to stay here with me and share my fate," said Henry Kyle with the light, careless manner that was peculiar to him. "We do, sir. Ycra have with your party a man named Dr. Blanchard, " "What of that?" "So you did, so you did, and I believod you implicitly." And as Tom Bliss spoke he drew Henry Kyle out of hearing of the others. . " At once, and the sooner the better," replied Bouton. "Couldn't you shoot me down at once if you seed I was givin you away?" " Y' Du see wo are acting on vour advice, ' said the captain without stopping in his work of rolling and lifting the stones into place. "He and his family are fugitives from Justice, and we come to demand them. We are working for the reward Now, give these people up and we will go away and leave you in peaca " Bouton believed the renegade and was resolved to try his plan at ono& Two hours of daylight remained, time sufficient to win and to have an hour to spam Just here it may be necessary to explain the appearance of Jonas Bliss' two sons in these wilds. Dr. Blanchard had not been gone from his old home a week when the collateral heirs—the kinsmen of old John Weldon, the patriarch—began to make inquiries about the immense estate that had been unclaimed for so many years in the old lawyer's hands that he very naturally began to look upon it as his own. Henry Kyle, without another word, turned and disappeared in the dense undergrowth on one side of the camp "And who is this beauty?" asked Mrs. Kyle. "She is with her father, brother and another sister, now en route to Oregon or Washington territory. The immigrant train passes within two hours' ride of here tomorrow." "I am," was the reply. ' '1 hope tho precaution may not be necessary," said Louis,, lending a hand, "but I do not think the work will be finished too soon." "You have sent him off," said the Prophet when Bouton returned. "You have ordered him to murder. Oh your head be that blood that is about to be shed." "I have ridden fast to seo you, sir," said the young man. "My namo is Louis Kyle," "The man that says I or any of my family are criminals or fugitives from justice," broke in Dr. Blanchard, who up to this time had been a model of ooolnees, "lies in his throat!" "One-half of the force will be sufficient," said Bouton. "Get ready, men, as 1 call your names." Eight prairie schooners carried the women and children, with the household goods and the food that would be neoessary till they could harvest their own crops. The route of this little party lay over the Black Hills and on toward the wondrous country of the Yellowstone. With the deliirht that thrills In childhood Louis Kyle had looked on this man with a dread that manhood did not entirely obliterata Under any circumstances he would not have thought of invoking his aid But now the necessities of his situation drove him to seize upon every means that held out the slightest prospect of help to his be tauruered friends. It flashed noon his Louis Kyle released Captain Brandon's hand, and a blush of modest confusion covered his handsome face as he felt the eyes of Alice Blanchard were on him. "And you are determined to leave ns tonight?" The Prophet shouldered his rifle and strode in the direction of Captain Bran don's camp. He was selecting his men when Black Eagle sped in from the darkness and stood gasping in their midst "What is it, Black Eagle? Speak)" shouted Bouton, alarmed at the manner of the vounsr Shoshone. "And where does this family come from?" "1 must" Now, it so happened that Tom Bliss was standing beside Bouton during the parley and it was he who prompted the desperado to put the following questions: "Are yon Dr. Blanchard?" "1 am." raolied the Indignant doctor. "From West Virginia," replied Hen- "But think of the danger I" Lawyer Bliss refused to give them any satisfaction, and the consequence was that the remaining Weldons ap- "Kyle! Did you say your namo was Kyle?" asked the captain, his hand to his ear and his head bent forward. "I do, but it is of the danger to yon, not to myself. You will need help, and it must be forthcoming," "Hold!" shouted Bouton. "Where are you going?" "West Virginia?" "Y«a mother Wtir. the seems "I am going to the aid of the oppressed." replied the Prophet and as hs Cantlaaad an page 4,