Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-08-04
CHAPTER VI

Before Louis Kyle lit the signal fire
that was Ia convey the news of his safe
arrival t. his friends hc made sure that
none Of Bouton's gang was within
reach. AZ his elevation the air was raw
and cold, and the young man drcw near
10 thu flames with his hands extended
to catch the grateful heat.
Though he had just passed through a
danger that for many an hour after.
ward would have occupied the thoughts
If an ordinary man and been repeated
for many u night III his dreams, Louis
Kylc's mind was filed with another
and to him greater subject.
Il wish my mother and father could
see her. " he mused Mora, am SURF,
would love her Who could help loving
herr How can / tell her my feelings:
What reply would she make If she
kn Nv thom:'
Louis Kyle was thinking aloud, and
h. was 90 absorbed that he did rot hear
"a soft step behind him nor know that
another was near till he heard the
words:
Better warm the blood by riding
than by fire at such time.
Louis Kyle leapcd back with his hand
TO his pistol-the rife was fastened To
his saddle-but he smiled nj his own
alarm as he recognized the familiar fig-
urc before him. II was tall and gaunt.
clad in skins and with wild tangle of
red hair and beard masking the face.
The eyes Were black and piercing. and
heavy yellow chain, from which "A
cross was suspended, hung about his
neck. An old fashioned powder horn
and bullet pouch were fastened Ia his
rawhide belt, and he carried, like u
staff. "A long muzzle loading rifle, such
as was once 50 popular with the hunters
Of the west There was no guessing the
mans age, but the erect form. the broad
breast and the expression Of the hairy,
muscular hands told that he had not
vet passed the prime Of life. lie was
known 10 many by the name which he
gave himself, Daniel the Prophet,
but very few knew him personally, and
no one but himself knew how he lived
or where was his dwelling place. There
was "A tradition that Daniel the Prophet
had suffered great wrongs at the hands
Of the MOrmons to the south and that
Ec had started an opposition religion.
'he chief tenet of which was that life
should be devoted to celibacy and soli-
tude. If such were his belief, he GER
tainly acted on it. for he was but sell
dom seen. and his manner Of coming and
going was so mysterious that the hunt
ers, trappers and prospectors OF that
land held him in awe if not in venera-
tion.
why, Prophet, I am glad to see you.
as am surprised at your coming, said
Louis Kyle, advancing and taking the
extended hand.
Daniel-or the Prophet, as we shall
call him-always used the Biblical
manner in speaking, and there was
dignity in his expression that precluded
the thought of burlesque. Even when his
statements were absurd, they carried
force from the earnestness with which
they We're uttered.
'There is as yet no blood upon thy
hand that the physical eye can see.
Woe be to him that wareth on his
brotherr' said the Prophet gloomily.
"Then woe Will not come To me. But
what if | should resist the brother who
raises his hand against me!" asked
Louis Kyle.
Resistance to wrong is right, not
a sin. But when brothers war, heaven
ayerts its face and heeds not the cause.
A curse has fallen upon our mountains.
The outlaw has made it his home and
the gold seeker stains the purity Of our
waters Tarry not, Louis Kyle, but car
ry to thy father the story that will bring
him grief. Go, and will hold the path
between thee and thy pursuers, said
the Prophet, motioning back with his
extended hand.
In childhood Louis Kyle had looked
on this man with dread that manhood
did not entirely oblitorate. Under any
circumstances he would not have thought
of invoking his aid. But now the neces-
sites of his situation drove him to seize
upon every means that held out the
slightest prospect Of help to his be-
leaguered friends 1t flashed upon his
mind that this man might be made
available.
prophet, he said, ''you have often
told me that your heart bled for the dis.