Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-05-23
THE BELLE ROULETTE.
By JULES VERNE.
CHAPTER II.-Continued.

= =
CHAPTER II.-Continued.
Now, while the Cascades had made
their overland journey, Jonathan Harley
had started later for Portland by ocean
and river. A passage on steamer landed
him in the city at wharf on the same day
that the Belle Roulette entered by road
way. The Mormon had first gone to Sac
ramcnto, in quest ostensibly Of his son,
but as much in the hope of outstanding
Leona's ''sister Pierretta." But the cir
Gus party had already departed. He learn
cd that their objective point was Port
land, and so he had ample time to make
preparations for trip by water to inter-
cept them in the Oregon city. He had
provided himself with plenty of money
for the purpose; he had dressed himself
In finer new clothes than he was accus-
toned to wear, and, in short, he had out.
fitted himself to become thriving wooer.
Pierre Cascabel discovered Jonathan in
the streets of Portland, and guessed his
errand. The boy had no intention of hav-
ing his practical joke exposed. He had q
vague idea that some sort of criminal
prosecution for fraud might ensue. So it
seemed desira Bile to mislead the already
misguided sutton. Pierre slipped into
stationery store, bought sheet of paper
and an envelope. and wrote as follows:
Dear Sir--I know you are here in Port
land, and suppose you may desire to re-
new our acquaintance. shall have no
objection-after three days; but before
the end Of that time you must not try to
meet me. l win explain why when see
you. Your friend. Pierretta Cascabel'
"And if the old fool waits for an expla-
nation until be gets it from me-" Pierre
said TO hi1iself, che will never know
much about it,"
Rut the reader may us well be informed
that Pierre, knowing that the Belle Rou-
lette was to remain in Portland only two
days, meant to keep the Mormon away
until It would be too late. The boy was
unaware that it was Ned Harley's father
whom he was fooling. The old man had
not diyulged his real name on the occa-
sion of the supper, and now Pierre did
not know how to address the letter, nor
where to send it. So he boldly hunted the
elder Harley down in the streets, deliv-
cred the missive to him, and was safely
off before any danger of recognition had
arisen. The old man obeyed the injunc-
ton of "Pierretta." That evening he
viewed the ''Cascabel Sisters from the
furthest limit of the crowd, and witness
cd his sons participation in the show, but
without disclosing himself.
Two mighty fine girls he unused.
"Leona is the handsomer Of the two"
and there he paused at the sudden con-
ceit Of taking them both to Utah as his
polygamous brides. 'No, no." he MUIR
INJURED in self-reproof. Il mustn't be hog
gish. Ned may masry Leona, and I'll be
content with Pierretta.'
Again on the second evening he watch
ed the counterfeit girl from afar, but
when he went to the place for the third
time, prepared to introduce himself to the
Cascabcl family and his son, nothing of
them was to be found. The circus had
departed, and inquiry did not reveal their
destination.
Meanwhile, Caesar Cascabel had resolv-
Cd to 80 much further into strange lands.
He proposed to journey up the coast to
Alaska, and the rest Of the party assent
ed. The ark made it's way safely over
several mountain passes, and. met with
friendly receptions at points in Washing
SUu ACIIlSOIye a. lcuS III ~ EcHCuCu
pia, and the troupe gave their last per-
Torrance in the United States. Not far
from here the extreme northern frontier
Of the republic was reached.
For the first time, Cascabel, natural
and incorporating enemy of England
was about to set foot on English ground
For the first time he was going to tread
upon the territory of Albion and soil his
feet with Anglo-Saxon dust. To reach
Alaska it was now necessary to cross an
expanse of six hundred miles, and such
was Cascabel's hatred Of the English that
he determined 70 push along very rap
idly. He tMycrscd thesfertile plain lyine
between the rangesOf mou0tains. through
which the Fraser river flows. This stream
after northerly course empties into q
narrow arm of the seas at Victoria, where
rich coal beds. worked at first by the
agents of the Hudson Bay Company, con.
stitute one Of the most active branches OF
commerce between San Francisco and
the ports of the west coast.
= 1t was here that q strange thing hap
pened. The Belle Roulette was lumber
ing along when suddenly the wheels sanl
into the soil. Deeper and deeper they pen
etrated. Then curious, grating sound
was heard, as though the tires had struck
the edges of rock, and 10! the body of tht
vehicle was resting fat on the turf, with
it's running gear all out of sight. The
horses were dragged to their launches