Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-27

full Of joyful gratitude at their escape from
death, or a fate worse than death. The camp
took on its usual appearance even before the
retreating savagos were entirely lost TO view
in the far distance. That night they en-
camped upon the prairie, and met with no
adventure A guard was maintained as on
J 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, nothing
occurring to alarm the emigrants.
And at the end Of the week, to their great
Joy and relief they arrived at Fort kearney.
! The emigrants did not halt at the Tort, but
pressed on to Kearney City where they en-
camped Just at nightlall.
Hore 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
J 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, aud regret
that his assailant had escaped was universal
81 know the fellow who dirked the couduc
tor" said Landlord. lie is perfect de-
, mon. ! know that he has killed several
, men. | saw him at Denver last year He
} bad Just stabbed miner from behind, and
robbed him of all his money and gold lie
is called Blue jack
" Blue Jack 20 cried one or two boys.
1" What a name !"
They call him so because one side Of his
face is blue as if bruised said Landlord.
" Looks as if the blood had settled under the
) skin"
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 smalness Of their
number as compared with the others induced
Landlord to allow them to travel under his
guidance and the protection Of his train.
d A few introductions took place, and theu
5 the long train took up its line Of march west
d ward
d During the noon encampment on the fol
. lowing day, Gay had finished her dinner anC
e merry snatch of song was on her lips, wher
d one OF the desperadoes known as Burk came
e up to her, and paused beside her regarding
IT her with an insolent stare.
l. Halo, younker," he said grufly. 81
e noticed you yesterday, and you are the pref
test young one | ever did see Got no IA
l. Their nor mother, Ell Going west with YOU
i brother, eh ? Give US a kiss, there's doll =
a In an instant she leaped to her feet
is Child as she was, she resented the insult
that had been offered her with woman's Of
Tended pride and anger.
r, How dare you p she cried. Go away
| If you touch me, I'll call my brother
" All, now young one, you're fooing,' he
0 said insolently. a." You act older than | took
n you for I'll warrant no boy except your
brother has kissed them lips o yourn ant
4; I'm bound to have ono-so now -
As quick as a flash, she drew from hei
IS pocket pistol Mark had bought for her a
d Leavenworth, aud which he had since laugh
IS her to use skifully. She cooked the pistol
lie and its four small dark tubes were prompt,
presented to the eyes of Burk for inspection
n He started back in unaffected horror an,
amazement.
ID " The little vixen :" he muttered. Sh
l. acts like highwayman instead Of a shrinkn
t. girl. She beats all :"
s. -" was only fooling' he said aloud. Z"
y didn't mean nothing Don't say nothing
0, young one. I'm off,
g And he FASTENED to beat retreat to hi
k own proper quarters.
e Gays light laugh rang after him mock
re ingly.
h course her - muttered Burk. Blu
]. Jack would tame that wildcat spirit Of her'n
n and | wish he may do it, that's all. I'll max
F. EN- acquainted, best if | don't !"
2 The train was ready to resume its march,
!, Come up into the wagon Mark, said thu
l. girl coaxngly. | have something tc, tel
you"
c Mark climb up beside Gay, his boyish fac
}, full of tenderness and affection as he locke,
!, down upon his adopted sister.
:. "Wel, what is it, little Gay p he said, a
y she hositated.
-" Have you noticed that man Burk, VIII
ir joined us with the other train at Kearne
I'd City ?" asked Gay.
e, 1--we seen him and noticed him." sal
+. Mark. Mr.. Lanford has poor opinion {
mp him. He's confederate of Blue Jack, til
as outlaw. What have you to say about hin
Gay2'
I'm He wanted to kiss me back at the halt
nd said Gay composedly "and, as you were bus
Ike just pulled out my pistol and scared hin
He thought | meant to shoot hun, and wei
". off to the rear of the train"
ed Marks boyish brows grew stern, aud h
tie eyes flashed.
he THE coward and villain" he exclaime
on an horsewhp him for that. How dare
he he?"
Don't get into trouble on my accoun
1as dear Mark !" exclaimed Gay, in alarm. "Ile
nc. a bad man, and he might kill you. He didu
Id, kiss me, and | have taught him to keep
IS distance, so that he won't trouble me agai
Don't speak to him, Mark, please dont!'
ct, But Mark would not promise.
ms About sunset Landlord behed in the di
les lance u solitary horscman, who, upon lookiI
E a back and observing the train, wheeled
horse about, and rode rapidly toward it.
a he approached it. he said
i'm "Are you the conductor of this train, sil
ell | am bearer Of dispatches from Fort Kearn,
til. to Fort Sedgwiek. viii you grant me II
Der protection of your train during the remaind
Ill of my journey ?"
s" "What is your name p
nat FalloD, Lieutenant Fallon," was the r
ng ply, and he offered to show his credentials
lis, Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon WELDON
and offered him the freedom of the camp.
ian Fallon ate supper with the Whitmans, al
Bile after conversing until late hour, retired
the rear of the train to sleep. After all W
ed. still, he rolled over on the ground until
ur came to the side of Burk
ou Burk :" he Kissed.
Burk started, with a smothered oath
"Who calls2" he growled.
IN Hush, you idiot !" Kissed Fallon, betwe,
ef bis teeth. Have fooled you and the DO
as easily as fooled the conductor of Il
ID train Don't you know me | haven't q
my card-case with me, but I'm Blue Jack,
ire your service Ha, ha The serpent has 9
into Eden -
ed 81 aud the boys have looked for you to jo
us all day." said Burk. " But of course v
me didn't look for you in this disguise"
np. Upon the morning after the oounterie
it Lieut.. Falon had joined the wagon train, Il
camp was astir as usual at daybreak. IT