Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-20

Amory had bullet wound in his shoulder,
and Arnold eldest son had flesh wound IN his
arm, but neither Of these injuries was serious
Are you safe Gay p demanded Mark,
coming toward her
Yes. but [ III almost smothered, answered
Gay Have the savages sure gone, Mark :?
Gay cautiously crept forth while she was
speaking. The remaining wagons dlsgorged
their crouching occupants, women and children
coming forth pale and trembling, but full OF
joyful gratitude at their escape from death, or
fate worse than death. The camp took on
its usual appearance even before the retreating
savages we're entirely lost to view IN the far
distance 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 in
cdeut, but all the Of pleasant sort, nothing oc-
curing 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 Tut
pressed on to Kcarney City, where they en-
camped just at Dightfall.
Here Conductor Landlord found another train
the guide of which had been stabbed the night
before by notorious man, who had escaped ar
rest 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 regret that
his assaiant had escaped was universal.
Il know the fellow who dirked The conduc-
tor" said Landlord. He is perfect demon
know that he has killed several men. | saw
him at Denver last year. He had just stabbed
a miner from behind, and robbed him OF all
his mouey and gold. He is called Blue JACK
blue Jack cried one or two boys. wv hat
name
"rbey 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
woman with them There were five of these
desperad )es, and only the sInallness of their
number as compared with the others induced
Landlord to allow them to travel under his
Guidance and the protection OF his train.
4 few introductions took place, and then
the long train took up its lin: OF march west
ward. r.,
During the noon encampment. 90 the tot,
lowing day. Gay had finished her dinner, aud
a merry snatch Of song was on her lips, when
one of the desperadoes known as Burk came
nm to her and paused beside her, regarding
her with an insolent stare.
''Hallo, younker, he said grutfly, Il no
ticed you Yesterday, and you are the prettlest
young one ever did see. Got no father nor
mother, eli? Going west with your brother: Ell ?
Give nc y kiss. there's doll
In an instant she leaped to her feet.
Child as she was, she resented the insult
that had been offered her with IA woman Of
Tended pride and anger.
How dare vou?" she cried Go away. II
You touch me, LII call my brother.
.'Ah. now. young one: you re to9lIng, he
said insoleptly. You act older than took
YOU for. I'll warrant no boy except your
brother has kissed them lips o your q, and
I'm bound to have one-so now
As quick as a fash, she drew from her pocket
a pistol Mark had bought for her at Leaven-
worth. and which he had since taught her to
use skilfnly. She cooked the pistol, and its
four small dark tubes were promptly presented
to the eyes of Burk for inspection. He started
back in unaffected horror and amazement.
The little vixen!' he muttered She
acts like highwayman instead Of shrink
ing girl. She beats all
Il was only fooling,' he said aloud, Il
didn't mean nothing. Don't say nothing,
young one. I'm off.
And he FASTENED to beat retreat to his
own proper quarters.
GAYS light laugh rang after him mockingly.
"Curse herr muttered Burk. blue Jack
wish he may do it, that's all. Ill make EN-
acquainted, blest if don't!''
The train was ready to resume its march.
';Come up into the wagon, Mark. said the
girl coaxingly. II have something to tell
you. :,
Mark climbed up beside Gay, his boysih
face full of tenderness and affection as he
looked down upon his adopted sister.
'.Well, what is it, little Gay?' he said, as
Have you noticed that man Burks who
Joined US with the other train at kearney
City, asked Gay =,
Tive seen him and noticed him. said
Mark. Mr.. Landlord has poor opinion OF
him. He's 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 busy,
lust pulled out my pistol and scared him.
He thought meant to shoot him, and went
off to the rear of the train.
Marks boyish brows grew stern: and his
eyes flashed. :, -.
1.-THE coward and villain!' he exclaimed
"I'll horsewhip him for that How dared
he?'
''Don't get into trouble on my account: dear
Mark y exclaimed Gay, in alarm. Hes a
bad man, and he might kill you. He didn't
kiss me, and | have taught him to keep his
distance, so that he won't trouble me again.
Don't speak to him, Mark, please don't!
But Mark would not promise.
About sunset landlord bchcld in the dis
lance solitary horseman, who, upon looking
back and observing the train, wheeled his
horse about and rode rapidly toward it. As
he approached it, he said:
Are you the conductor of this train, sir !!
am bearer of dispatches from Fort kearney
to Fort Sedgwick Will you grant me the
protection Of your train during the remainder
of my Journey
"What is your name?''
''Fallon, Lieutenant Falon, was the re-
ply, and he offered to show his credentials.
Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon welcome,