Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-08-18
CHAPTER XI.

Bouton made known his intentions 10
his prisoners, informing them of the
charge and his intention e. take DR..
Blanchard back to West Virginia for
trial. The doctor tore up the warrant
in his face, and Indignantly denied the
charge
The doctor deemed IN explanation
due 10 those about him. and told the
story of his life. With much shrewd-
ness he guessed ut the plot III which
LAWYER Bliss and his sons Were 80 deep
ly interested. When the doctor had fin
ished, sturdy John Clyde, as spokesman
for the immigrants. said:
I'VE don't need your explanation,
doctor, 10 convince us of your inno-
cencc. We believe III you and are ready
to fight for you. though we one and all
regret that our fighting will do no good
at this time But we can say this-we
do not propose to leave here till this
thing is settled.
When DR.. Blanchard became calmer,
he saw that resistance would be useless,
and he reasoned that Bouton would not
hesitate 10 enforce his command. Draw
ing Alice and Clara 10 one side he SAID
my children, there IL nothing left
but Il submit 60 these men. Let US 60
with them. and trust to heaven to shield
us from the harm they contemplate.
I'VE will 60 with you, father, said
Alice, with her arms about his neck.
I'VE could not. would not remain back.
Keep good heart and succor will come.
have faith i'll Louis Kyle.
"As l have" replied the doctor
But let Us be getting ready
Believing that the outlaws would not
dare to take them within reach of the
law, and hoping that a rescue would
soon come, the doctor decided To leave
all his effects not needed for immediate
use in the care Of John Clyde. Clyde
AID his companions having made up
their minds 10 remain where they were
till the Doctors troubles We're over, at
once began preparations for perma-
nent camp. Promptly at noon Bouton
came over, leading two saddle horses,
Patch following with pack mule in
tended to carry the "eutfit" Of the
young ladies.
Doctor" he said, "you can ride
your own horse for the present. Come.
we are waiting for you.
The parting Of the doctor and his
daughters from the immigrants was sad
| in the extreme The women chung to
Alice and Clara, and the men could not
check their tears as they held the old
mans hand. John Clyde helped Alice
and Clara to mount, hands were waved
| in adieu, and the march TO an unknown
destination began All Bouton's men
were in the saddle and waiting Henry
KYLE, pale and reticent, was at the rear
of the line, where the pack animals were
| in readiness The prisoners, for such
they were, were placed in the center OF
| the line. The cavalcade headed for the
south and soon wound out Of the valley
| Of the Blue Water.
Sim Bliss and his brother Tom, after
the exultation over their success had sub
sided, began to ask themselves how their
plans had been furthered and what re.
mained 20 be done for their perfection.
While the Bliss brothers were discussing
the situation Bouton's brain was not
idle. He rode apart from his men, his
head bowed and the reins dangling
from the neck Of his horse. He had the
habit peculiar to men who live much IN
solitude of thinking aloud, and on this
occasion his thoughts ran something
after this fashion:
"The Kyles and the Weldons are one.
| There can be no doubt about that. II
this dog, Sim Bliss, told me the truth
and think he did-the Kyles are the
heirs to that estate, and il they put In
an appearance the Blanchards would b
nowhere. II Henry and Louis Kyle wert
both dead, that estate would belong t.