The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-22
A TERRIBLE NIGHT.

In 1870. Job Morrison, guide and from
ticrsman, was acting assistant payinaster
in the Yellowstone division, U. S. A.,
having been temporarily employed to fill
the place of an officer whose sickness
prevented him from performing the reg
ular duties of the position. As such as
sistant it become necessary for Morrison,
early in May, to traverse q largo section
OF country, visit a number of outlying
posts and pay the troops. He was en-
titled to guard, but, having visited
Laramie, Fetterman, McKinnie and
Kearney, he dismissed his escort and
proceeded alone across the Big Horn
Mountains by Indian trails toward Camp
Brown, from which point he could strike
to TIE railroad again at Green river, and
thus return home.
The greater portion of his funds were
exh susted. Only some fifteen hundred
d )llars remained to be paid at Camp
Bru1n. He was unknown as govern
m ant Ulcer, was tloro' mountaineer
an well armed. and he, therefore, had
fear or hesitation in proceeding as de-
seribed. 1t would he far quicker than, TO
follow the beaten read with his guard.
1t was tue third day of his solitary ride,
toward night, that be struck Bay Water
creek, tributary of the Big Horn. Fol-
lowing this stream, he would at length
leave the mountains and enter upon an
open plateau, across which ride of sc
miles would bring him to his destination.
One more night in the wilderness, and
the risk of his adventure would end.
Musing, as bis horse picked his way
along the obscure trail, yet watehful.--
Morrison hal ridden dozen miles, and
the shadows of the coming night were
warning him that it Was time 10 camp
when suddenly there fell upon his trained
ear the bark Of dog.
He halted, and again it sounded, no
far In front.
He urged his horse onward. and upor
rounding a bluff, thirty rods ahead, t.
his astonishment he saw small cabin, {
white man standing in the door and {
hound at his feet.
A veritabls hunters retreat Morri
sons heart was gladdened. He rod,
rapidly forward.
"Evenin' friend" he called to the man
oyer deep in the timber, but it's luck.
for me. Can stay all nightp"
The fellow raised his head, aud ter
rible recollection passed through the pay
masters brain. This newly found frien,
was none other than Dan Lamoreaux,
border ruffan of of the worst stripe whom
he had known in Kansas City years be
fore-a man stained with crime, and fo
whose head reward Was even now OF
fered.
The cabin in the wilderness was hid
ing place, not home.
But the other seemed to regard Nor
rison as An utter stranger, and looking a
him carelessly he drawled:
II reckon ye kin light. Thar's a blank
ct inside, and the women-iulks'il get y
up suthin' TO eat"
Women-folks Morrison stared, bu
obeyed his hosts injunction, and, dis
mounting entered the cabin.
A mere hut, with hewn logs for floor
two rooms below and loft above. Tw'
women were near the fire. Ono full Sly
ty, OF hideou' face aud feature, with ben
frame and long, elRw-like hands; tn
other much younger. but with harden
cd countenance. Even as the agent ha
recolleoted the man, SO now he knee
these women. They were Lamoreaux
slaves-the elder, his mother, hag c
the vilest nature; the other his wife @
mistress.
Morrison had eamped in viper's der
He must look sharp that he was not bitter
And yet no sign of recognition had al
peared upon the face of LamoFeaux.
the man did not suspect him as govern
ment officer or an old enemy-for No
rison had been connected with the d.
tective police when in the East--he migl
safely remain. He represented himse
as a mere voyager, half prospector, ha
hunter-a sort of mountain wsif.
A coarse supper Of vension, tea an
hard bread was spread, and seated wit
the desperate and his pretended wifi
Morrison ate. Then, removing his pi
tol belt, he hung it upon the wall, an
flled Lis pipe for an evenings smoke
Lamoreaux, at the close of the mea
also arose and left the shanty. remarkir
that be would see 10 the horse.