The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-19

saath. or n fate worse than death. The CAMP
took on its usual appearance even peiors es tnu
retreatinr sayages were entirely lost 70 s,un
In rho far distance. That night they ehC.mp
ed upon the prairie, and met Win no an ~ the
sn,a' p,,a,tf was nlaintaincd ~ vi % In
nr,vio,,s night, but no Indians WERE =" ' "S
seen. ea,, :. .,,, followed the
s ,a,,t an the Little Blue was iuit %
;no;dopt but all of the pleasant SOFT, hoIhlhs
ncc,,rr;no TO alarm the cmiglants. 1,...
oesu nd at tho end of the week, to tnclr
r,sst ;oy and relief, they arrived at fofs
Kearney. :. tho for. 2b,,t
,,sssed on to Kearney City, where they en-
canned just at nightfall. 30.
Here Conductor Landlord found another
train the guide of which had been stabbed
the night before by a notorious man who had
cscaDcd arrest. The trim WIS offered to
Landlord, to be united with his own. > ~. =,
The assault that had been made upon the
conductor of the previouslyiuIived tram was
made matter of discussion, aud regret that
his as sailant had escaped was universal. "
81 know the fellow who dirked the con-
ductor." said Landlord. "He Is perfect
demon; know that he has killed several
men. saw him at Denver last year. de
had lust stabbed miner from behind, and
robbed him of all his money and gold. he
is called Blue jack" .....,... .., 80
"Blue jack" cried one or two boys.
nWhat name !" ,..tr....-....-rs ~
"They call him so because one side OF his
face il blue" as il bruised" said Landlord.
"Looks as if the blood had settled under the
skin" -... ..s-.s 80
The new train was bound for Denver, as
Landlord had said.
Two wagons belonged to men who had DO
woman with them. There were five Of these
desperadoes, and only the snlallness OF their
number rs 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 line Of march west
ward. ..r~,st .-:@ as !~.~ ,.=
During the noon encampment on the fol-
lowing day, Gay had finished her dinner, and
a merry snatch Of song was OH her lips,
when one of the desperadoes known as Burk
came up to her, and paused beside her, re-
gardlng her with an insolent stare. 49,.
"Hallo, younker," he said grutfly, 81 no.
ticed YOU Yesterday, and you are the pref
tiest young one lever did see. Got no father
nor mother, eh? Going West with your
brother, eh? Give us kiss, there's a
doll?" .... .., ...
In an instant she leaped to her feet.
Child as she was, she resented the insult
that had been offered her with woman's
offended pride and anger.
Chow dare you?" she cried. eco away.
If you touch me I'll call my brother"
"Ah, now, young one, you're foolinS,'
he said insolently. "You act older than /
took you for. I'll warrant no boy except
your brother has kissed them lips O your'D,
and I'm bound to have onc--so now -
As quick as flash she drew from her
pocket pistol Mark had bought for her at
Leavcnworth, and which he had since taught
her to Use skilfully. 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.
1.-THE little viNenw he muttered. "She
acts like highwayman instead of shrink
Ing girl. She beats all"
81 was only fooling," he said aloud. 81
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 mock
ingIy.
course herw muttered Burk. "Blue Jack
would tame that wildcat spirit of her'n, and
l wish he may do it. that's all. I'll make 'em
acquainted, blest if don'tw
The train was ready to resume its march.
"Come up into the wagon, Mark" said tie
girl coaxingly. 81 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
ste hesitated.
"Have you noticed that man Burk who
joined us with the other train at Kearney
City," asked Gay.
"Fye 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 compo>e(lIy, "and rs you were
busy, just pulled elit my pistol aud scared
him. He thought meant to shoot him, and
went of to the rear of the train"
Marks boyish broWs grew stern and his
eyes flashed. ~. ...:-#
1.-THE coward and villain :" he exclaimed.
am borsewhip him for that. How dared
he:"
Don't get into trouble on my account,
dear Mark !" exclaimed Gay, in alarm.
" He's 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!" a-. , ....-, -....
But Mark would not promise. .5.s-.
About sunset Landlord beheld in the dis
lance solitary horseman, who, upon looking
back and observing the train, wheeled his
horse about and rode rapidly toward it. AS
lie approached it he said:tt Il, .- 80
care YOU the conductor Of this train, sir?
I am bearer of dispatches from Fort Kearney
to Fort Sedgwick. Will you grant me the
Of your train during the remainder
Of my journey"
"What is your name z"
"Fallon. Lieutenant Fallon," was the re-
ply. and he offered to show his credentials.
Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon welcome
and offered him the freedom of the camp.
Fallon ate supper with the Whitnans, and
after conversing until late hour retired to
the rear of the train to sleep. After all was
still he rolled over on the ground until he
came to the side of Burk. ---~-~--.-
"Burk p he Kissed. .... -
Burk started, with smothered oath. '
"Who calls, J" he growled.
"Hush, you idiotw Kissed Falon, between
his teeth. "Have fooled you and the boys
as easily as / fooled the conductor of the
train? Don't you know me? l havn't got
my card-case with me, but Pm Blue Jack, at
your service. Ha, ha! The serpent has got
into .Edep!'
"I AM, the boys have looked for you to
join lis all dav," said Burk. But Of course we
a; d,,,4 Iaal- fnr Won in this flispuise,, -