Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-08-24

Jane lay where she fell Dan quickly 1eaped down and picked her up with gentle hands. He wrapped his silk hand kerchief around her hand, which was bleeding freely from a cut made by the sharp rocks. He picked up her basket, spoke kindly to her and gave her $1 to pay for the spilled berries. Fortunately she was not seriously hurt, and after thanking Dan and giving him grate- full look she went down to the river and joined her mother.
 When Dan came back to where the men were, he looked angry and said to Jack, "Ye blackguard, ye ought to be ashamed to do thing loike that"
 Jack said he had no thought of hurt ing the girl, but just meant to scare her little, and to turn it off tried to joke Dan for the interest he took in her. See ing that Jack was not disposed to have my quarrel, Dams good humor soon as serted itself and the affair ended without further trouble.
 In short time afterward the men went to work as usual, and in the ex- citement of mining life this little incl dent was forgotten by all but Dan. As several days passed and the girl did not come there any more, he began to won der if her absence was due to injuries received by her fall, and he resolved ill his own mind if such were the case he would take the first opportunity to pick quarrel and whip Jack for it. After about week, however, one morning Jane appeared again at the camp. But how changed in appearance! At first no one recognized her. She was very neatly dressed ill every way, and the gum boots were replaced by nice pair of shoes i; her black hair hung down her back in two heavy plaits, the ends being joined with bow of pink ribbon. In her new suit she was quite picturesque and pleas ing, and it was not surprising that she was not at first recognized as "Gum- boots Jane.
 But what had wrought this wondrous change ill so short time? Had that strange magic called love, which can suddenly transform the girl into a wom- an and the woman into a heroine, ready to do and dare anything for her lover, touched her heart? Perhaps so. At any rate it is certain that Dam kind actions and words of sympathy made deep i'm pression upon this simple girl. Still, she was more bashful and shy toward him than she had been before she was hurt, for, while she came down to our camp almost every day, she hardly ever ventured within speaking distance of Dan, though she would often sit or stand where she could see him and anxiously watch him as long as she was unob- served or time would permit. But after this had been going on for a week or two he was much surprised one day by her walking straight up to him, and without hesitation saying II like you. Bad Indian want to kill white man. Look out!' Before he recovered from his surprise or could say a word she turned and walked rapidly away.
 Dan thought over the matter and tried to reach some conclusion as to what she meant, without any definite result. But he decided that unless the girl knew ot some danger either to him or his companions she would not have given this warning, and that it would be proper to tell them about it That same day, however, man called Scotty, from Nevada, was down at Bucks sta tiOn on some business, and on his return brought news that caused considerable excitement at the bar and explained what Jane meant by her warning. He said there had been trouble between some Cassiar packers and Indians work ing for them, which had resulted in the packers killing one of the Indians. Now the natives of Alaska and the adjacent territory have a laN', running back as far as their traditions reach, that when a member of one tribe kills member Of a different tribe the killing must be paid for with blankets or other prop erty, or, if not, then it must be settled by human blood, and life for life is de- manded. The tribe of the deceased will then kill one of the other tribe at the first opportunity. They do not seek the person who committed the homicide, but take the life of any member of his tribe that falls into their power.
 When white men came into this coun- try, the natives applied this sanguinary law to them, and it was well understood by all ill our camp. We knew that one of our lives might have to pay for the native killed by the packers, and VIC therefore agreed to keep vigilant watch for such danger.
 For awhile we carried our guns with us down to the mines, and no man would go away from the camp any con siderable distance alone But as Rpthine more was heard of the matter our wig iIance rapidly relaxed, and it was soor almost forgotten.
 One morning Dan was at work on his claim. His partner had gone up the river for some purpose, and he was fol the time being alone. with none of the other men even in sight. He was nerv Ous and experienced vague fear of i'm | pending danger. Just then he heard footsteps, and looking up saw Jane com ing toward him. She came quite neal and stopped between where he was anC | the woods that Skirted the mountain fal away. She did not speak nor even lool | at him. Her eyes were turned in the di rection of the woods, and she stood al | if listening.
 This instead of allaying his nervous ness increased it, and he wished he haG brought his gun that morning. Then he thought he would speak to the girl anG ask what she was looking for there, but at that moment he heard Joaquin s voice singing up the river, and his heart gave q great bound of joy as he turned to look l for him. Almost simultaneously the re- port of gun rang out upon the air, { shrill scream pierced his ears, and Jane tottered and fell almost at his feet. Il required no examination to see that she was shot, and filled with terror Dan ten derly caught her up in his arms with all possible haste and bore her toward the camp. Joaquin overlook him on the way, and together they carried her into the cabin and gently laid her upon theil bunk. Two or three other miners came in about that time, and it was only the work of a few seconds to open her cloth ing sufficiently to show the wound where the bullet had pierced her breast ] 1Nhoxy vi fO cfo ho 1o1ool