Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-03-22

each with especial aim. SIX mounted saw
ages fell before the deadly rain.
A panic Immediately seized upon the
survivors. In the midst Of II Whitman
grinly touched off his field piece anew.
This ended the conflict. The savagcs
with horrible yels beat an instantaneous
retreat, leaving their dead upon the field,
and dragging away their wounded.
Amory had bullet wound in his Shout
der, and Arnold's eldest son had flesh
wound in his arm, but neither of these in
iurics was serious.
"Are you safe GayP" demanded Mark,
coming toward her.
"Yes, but TIN almost smothered," an
swered Gay. "IIave the savages surely
gone, Mark p
Gay cautiously crept forth while she was
speaking. The remaining wagons disgorg-
ed their crouching occupants, women and
children coming forth pale and trembling,
but full of joyful gratitude at their escape
from death, or a fate worse than death. The
camp took on its usual appearance even be-
fore the retreating savages were entirely lost
to view in the far distance. That night they
encamped upon the prairie, and met with
no adventure. 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
Kearney.
The emigrants did not halt at the fort,
| but pressed on to Kearney City, where they
encamped Just at nightiall.
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 he united with his own.
The assault that had been made upon the
| conductor of the previously arrived train
| was made q matter of discussion, and re-
| greet that his assailant had escaped was un-
| iversal.
IT know the fellow who dirked the con-
ductor," said Landlord. "He is a perfect
| demon. 1 know that he has killed several
men. l 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 Jackr' cried one or two boys.
| "What name:'
"They call him so because one side of his
| face is blue, as if bruised said Landlord.
Looks as if the blood bad settled under
| the in"
The new train was bound for Denver, as
Landlord had said.
Two wagons belonged to men who had
no woman 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 fol-
| lowing day, GAY had flushed her dinner,
and merry snatch of song was on her lips,
when one of the desperadoes known rs
Burk came up to her, and paused beside
| her regarding her with an insolent stare
|
| noticed you yesterday, and you are the
prettiest young one ever did see. Got no
father nor mother, Ell? Going west with
your brother, Ell? Give US kiss, there's
| doll.
In an instant she eaped to her feet.
Child as she was, she resented the insult
| that had been offered her with womans
offended pride and anger.
GLOW dare you ?' she cried. go away.
If you touch me, I'll call my brother"
he said insolently. "You act older than
took you for. I'll warrant no boy except
| your brother has kissed them lips o.
yourn, and I'm bound to have one-so
now -
AS quick as flash, she drew from her
pocket pistol Mark had bought for her at
Leavenworth, and which he had since
taught her TO use skilfuly. She.cookod the
pistol, and its four dark tubes were prompt
ly presented to the eyes of Burk for inspec-
| ton. lie started back IN unaffected horror
| and amaZement.
"The little vixen - he muttered. "She
acts likes highwayman instead of shrink
| ing girl. She beats all ~
II was only fooling," he said aloud. 81
didn't mean nothing. Don't say nothing
| young one. I'm of.
And he FASTENED to beat retreat TO his
own proper quarters.
Gays light laugh rang after him mock
ingly.
Curse herr! muttered Burk. "Blue
Jack would tame that wildcat spirit of
hern, and / wish he may do ii, that's all.
I'll make em acquainted, blest if ! don'u'
The train was ready TO resume its march.
"Come up into the wagon, Mark" said
the girl coaxingly. 1 have something to
tell you."
Mark climbed up beside Gay, his boyish
face full of tenderness and affection as he
looked down upon his adopted sister,
"Well, what is it, little Gay?" he said, as
she hesitated.
"Have you noticed that man Burk, who
joined us with the other train at Koarney
City?' asked Gay.
"Ive seen him and noticed him." said
Mark. Mr.. Landlord has a poor opinion
of him. He's a confederate of Blue Jack,
the outlaw. What have you to say about
him. Gay?"
"He wanted to kiss me back at the halt"
said GAY composedly, "and, as you were
scared him. He thought l meant to shoot
him, and went off TO the rear of the train"
Marks booyish brows grew stern, and his
eyes flashed.
1.-THE coward and villain T. he exclaimed.
"rll horsewhip him for that. How dared
hep"
Don't get into trouble on my account,
dear Markv y exclaimed Gay, in alarm.
He's a bad man, and he might kill you.
He didn't kiss me. and / have taught him
1. sr.t, NI..fI 4. oh
lie me again. Don't speak TO him, Mark,
please don't"
But Mark would not promise.
About sunset Landlord beheld in the dis
lance n solitary horsman, who, upon look
ing back and observing the train, wheeled
his horse about, and rode rapidly toward
ii. AS he approached ii, he said;
"Are you the conductor of this train,
sir? / am bearer of dispatches from Fort
Kearney to Fort Sedgwick. VIII you
grant me the protection of your train dur
lag the remainder of my joulneyH"
"What Is your name ?'
"Falion. Lieutenant Fallon," was the
reply, and he offered to show his creden-
| tails.
Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon well
come, and offered him the freedom of the
camp.
| and after conversing until a late hour, re-
tired to the rear of the train to sleep. Az
ter all was still, he rolled over the ground
until he came TO the side of Burk.
"Burk - he Kissed.
Burk started, with a smo thered oath.
"Who calls?" he growed.
"Hush, you idiot !" Missed Fallon, be-
ween his teeth. "Have i fooled you and
the boys as easily as / fooled the conductor
of the train? Don't you know me?
haven't got my ca d-case with me, hut I'm
Blue Jack, at your service Ha ha! The
serpent has got into Eden ~
~ and the boys have looked for you all
day to join u.s." said Burk. "But OF course
we didn't look for you in that disguise"
Upon the morning after the counterfeit
Lieut.. Fallon had Joined the wagon train
the camp was astir as usual at daybreak
The train had halted at noon on the rivel
bank oppostea lovely island. At sunse
they again halted, and for the night.