The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-20

ueaIn agony.
The remaining savages again came to a
halt, but only for an instant. With ter
rifle warwhoop, they came on again to the
onslaught, firing as they came, and looking
like incarnate demons.
"All together ~ cried the guide.
The other men and all the boys fired,
each with especial aim. Six mounted
savages fell before the deadly rain.
A panic immediately seized upon the
survivors. In the midst of it, Whitman
grimly touched off his field-piece anew.
This ended the conflict. The savages
with horrible yells beat an instantaneous
retreat, leaving their dead upon the field,
and dragging away their wounded.
Armory had bullet wound in his Shout
der, and Arnold's eldest son had flesh
wound in his arm, but neither of these in
juries was serious.
"Are you safe, Gay ?" demanded Mark,
coming toward her.
g Yes, but Pm almost smothered," an
swered Gay. Have the savages surely
gone, Mark ?"
Gay cautiously crept forth while she was
speaking. The remaining wagons dis
gorged their crouching occupants, women
and children coming forth pale and tremb-
ling, but full of joyful gratitude at their
escape from death, or q fate worse than
death. The camp took on its usual APP
pearance even before the retreating savages
were entirely lost to view in the far dis
lance. That night they encamped upon the
prairie, and met with no adventure. A
guard was maintained as on the previous
night, but no Indians were to be seen.'
Every day for the week that followed the
encampment on the Little Blue was full of
incident, but all of the pleasant sort, moth
ing occurring to alarm the emigrants.
And at the end of the week, to their great
joy and relief, they arrived at Fort Kear-
ney.
The emigrants did not halt at the fort,
but pressed on to Kearney City, where
they encamped just at nightfall.
Here Conductor Landlord found another
train, the guide of which had been stabbed
the night before by notorious man, who
had escaped arrest. The train was offered
to Landlord, to be united with his own.
The assault that had been made upon the
conductor Of the previously arrived train
was made matter of discussion, and re-
greet that his assailant had escaped was uni
| yersal.
81 know the fellow who dirked the con-
ductor,0 said Landlord. Gle is perfect
demon. L know that he has killed several
men. / saw him at Denver last year. He
had Just stabbed miner from behind, and
robbed him of all his money and gold. He
is called Blue jack"
"Blue Jack !" cried one or two boys
What name.
"They call him so because one side of
his face is blue, as if bruised" said Land
/ ford. ''Looks as if the blood had settled
under the skim"
The new train was bound for Denver, as
Landlord had said.
Two wagons belonged to men who had
no women with them. There were five of
these desperadoes, and only the smallness
of their number as compared with the 9TH
ers induced Landlord to allow them to
travel under his guidance and the protec-
ton of his train.
A few introductions took place, and then
the long train took up its line of march
westward.
During the noon encampment, on the
following day, Gay had finished her din
ner, and merry snatch of song was on her
lips, when one of the desperadoes known
as Burk came up to her, and paused be.
side her, regarding her with an insolent
stare.
"Hallo, younker," he said grulfly. 81
NOTICED you yesterday, and you are the
prettisgt young one / ever did see. Got no
father nor mother, ell? Going west with
your brother, eh ? Give us kiss, there's
a doll ~
In an instant she leaped to her feet.
t-rhild as she was, she resented the insult
that had been offered her with woman's
offended, pride and anger.
"How dare you!'' she cried. EGO away
If YOU touch me, I'll call my brother"
6Ah. now, young one, you're fOoling,'
he said insoleritly. 'You act older thar
T took YOU for, I'll warrant no boy ex
cent your brother has kissed them lips o
your5n. and Pm boun,,, to have one--sc
now!" ..
| As quick as flash, she drew from he
pocket pistol Mark had bought fol' her a
Savenworth, and which he had s. NC
ton, -dt her to use skilfully. She cooked the
n ,aS5 and its four small dark tubes were
pprnmntr presented to the eyes of Burk
tor ;nSnect,, on. He started back in unaffect.
ed horror ant amazement.
- ssThe little ', xen!" he muttered. "She
acts like a highwa. yman instead OF shrink.
ing girl. She bea,s all
IF was only foohiug," he said aloud.
81 didn't mean nothing. Don't say moth
ing. young one. Pm Off"
And he hastened to beat retreat to his
own proper quarters.
Gays light laugh rang after him mock
ingly.
"Curse her ~ muttered Burk. 'sBlut
Jack would tame that Wildcat spirit o
her'n, and wish he may do it, that's all
I'u make 'em acquainted, blest if
don't!"
The train was ready to resume its march
"Come up into the wagon, Mark sale
the girl coaxingly. 81 have something tc
tell YOU"
i Mark climbed up besideaGay, his boyish
face full of tenderness and atfection as he
looked down upon his adopted sister.
swell, what is it, little Gay z" he said
as she hesitated
"Have you noticed that man Burk, wht
joined us with the other train at kearney
City ?" asked Gay.
"I've seen him and noticed him." sale
Mark. .'Mr. Landlord HIS poor opinion
of him. He's confederate of Blue Jack
the outlaw. What have you to say abou
him, Gay?"
"IIe wanted to kiss me back at the halt,
said Gay composedly, land, as you wer'
busy, | just pulled out my pistol ant
| ccared him He thoupht I meant To shoe