The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-10

losstone division. United States Army,
having been Temporarily employed 10 taks
the place OF sn oiliear whose sickness pre-
vented him from performing the regular
duties Of the position. As such assistant
, II became necessary for Morrison, early IN
May, 10 traverse large section Of country,
yisi, a large number Of ou,laying posts
and pay the tfoups. He was entitled TO
guard, hut having visited Laramie, Fet.
terman. McKinnie and Kearney, lac dismis.
sed his escort aud proceeded alone across
the Big Horn Mountains by Indian trails
toward Camp Brown, from which point he
could strike TO the railroad again at Green
River and thus return home.
The greater portion Of his funds Was
exhausted. Only some one thousand five
hundred dollars remained ~ be paid nj
Camp Brown. He was unknown AS Gov
ernment officer, was thorough mountain
eer aud well armed, and he therefore had
no fear or hesitation in proceeding as des.
cribed. 1t would he far quicker than to
follow the beaten road with his guide.
1t was III the third day OF his solitary
ride, toward night, that he struck the
head of BAY Water Creek, a tributary Of
the Big Hsrn. Following this stream he
would at length leave the mountains and
enter upon nopen plateau, across which
Ia nj la - th,xtx ~ ttaa ,ua,.ll I,,n. t,.,,
TO his destination. One more night in
the wilderness and the risk of his adventure
would be over.
Musing, as his horse picked his way
along the obscure trail yet watchful, Nor
rison had ridden dozen miles and the
shadows Of the coming night were warn
ing him that it was time to camp, when
suddenly there fell upon his trained ears
the bark ofa dog.
He halted; again it sounded, not far in
front.
He urged his horse onward and upon
rounding a.blufi, thirty rods ahead, to his
astonishment he saw small cabin, white /
man standing in the door and hound ut |
his feet
A veritable hunters retreat Morrison's
heart was gladdened. He rode rapidly
forward
Eyenin', friend, he called to the man
Yer deep in the timber; but it's lucky for
me. Can stay oil night
The fellow raised his head, and terri.
BILE recollection passed through the pay
masters brain. This new found friend
was none other than Dan LamoreauX, .
border rufiian OF the worst stripe, whom he
had know in Kansas City years before--a
man stained with crime, and for whose
head reward was even now offered.
The cabin in the wilderness was hiding
place, not home.
But the other seemed to regard Morri.
son as an utter stranger, and. looking at
him carelessly he drawled.
Ireckon ye kin light. Thars blanket
inside. an the women folks'll knock yeup
suthin' to eat. SD
Women folks! Morrison started, but
obeying his hosts injunctions, and dis
mounting entered the cabin.
A mere hut, with hewn logs for floor
Two rooms below and u loft above. Two
women were near the fire. One full sixty,
Of hideous face and nature, with bent
frame and dong claw-hammer hands; the
other much younger, but with hardened
expression Of countenance. Even rs the
agent recollected the man, so now he knew
these women-the elder, his mother, q hsg
Of the vilest nature; the other his wife or
mistress
Morrison had camped in viper's den
He must look sharp that he was not bitten
As yet no signs Of recognition had ap. {
peared upon the face Of LamoreauA II &
the man did not suspect him as govern.
ment officer or an old enemy--for Morrison J
had been connected with the detective po-
lice when in the East be might safely re-
main. He represented himself as mere
voyager, half prospector, Ralf hnnter-a ]
sort Of mountain waif. t
A coarse supper Of vension, tea and hard 4
bread was spread, and seated with the 5
and his pretended wife, Morri-
son ate. Then removing his pistol belt, h
he hung it on the wall and filed his pipe
for an evenings smoke &
Damoreau1, at the close of the meal also 4
arose and left the shaDty, remarking that
be would see 10 the horse 0
As the paymaster knelt on the broad c.
rough hearthstone to draw coal from the n
ire with which TO light bis pipe, the old
woman who shiyered in the corner shot A
,ne glance at him, and then rubbing her "
iants together until the joints cracked CT
md the long nails rasped upon her tough CT
kin, she muttered the hardly distinguish g
lble words SC
Under the stone-under the stone Hal Ia
IA! and | did il! His throat was soft and b.
mooth, and / did i'll Under the stone! re
la hal
For an instant the mountaineers hand W
rembled. and he paused, Was he kneel.
ng above grave? Then the sense OF his to
langcr came to him. Self-possessson re- di
urned, for by eoolness alone could he save in
iimself, and he slipped the waiting pipe. "
But the muttered words Of the hag had ST
warned him. a,
Be them thar weepins loaded asked the v.
ounger woman, as he resumed his scat, ST
,ointing to his revolyers, I'm desput b,
kecred O powderl
What A hunters wife afraid OF pow. b
leri That's good uni and Morrison 81
aughed heartily. even while his heart Il