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

In former chapter IL was said that
Captain Brandon placed the utmost IT,
lance in all but one Of his men, and to
this man he could not openly show his
suspicion His namo was Patch. and
he was employed at Omaha 10 drive one
II the mule teams Short, thickset and
bullet headed, Patch looked an ideal
prizefighter, an effect heightened by a
broken nose and the absence of front
teeth Patch WAS very taciturn beyond
the professional swearing at his mules,
profanity being considered on the plains
Us essential 10 the mules progress and
usefulness as harness. He rarely spoke,
and he never joined the people about
the campfire i'll the evenings.
His great delight was 10 sit on the
wagon box and chew tobacco. He actu.
ally devourcd great black slabs If it.
From this perch he would watch the
immigrants, or rather he would watch
one # them, Clara Blanchard. be fol-
lowed her every movement with his rcd
rimmed eyes, and at times was 50 fasci-
HlA'I IL " lhil lili' % ~ 'hseN
and sleep on the box all night
Patch submitted to Captain Brandon's
discipline He had dread # the tall
guide and would have offered no re-
siStancc had that person kicked him, but
behind this show Of obedience the de-
based spirit was III revolt. He would
have deserted at once bur for the fascina-
tion that kept him within the sight OF
Clara Blanchard Through his dim
brain the thought crept If was to
help bust this outfit up, them Bouton
chaps muut let me have charge Of her
like a kinder reward. "
While watching his mules that day
Patch discovered something which had
escaped the notice Of Captain Brandon
ard which I'D not have been thought
Of by Bouton's party--viz, the river,
on which the somicircular corral wall
abutted, was so shallow at the upper
part OF the camp and fcr many yards up
the river that it could be waded with
out reaching depth above the knee,
and in this way the place could be sur
prised and taken in the rear. Patch
wa. on guard the first half of the
night, and it can he said that he was
too much absorbed i'll the contemplated
treachery to give any thought to the
duties or dangers of his position. He
listened eagerly to everything that was
said, and the instant he was relieved
he resolved to test the practicability OF
his own scheme. He succeeded in reach
ing the outlaw camp and was brought
before Bouton, who at once asked:
"Are there many more like you over
in that camp?'
"No, boss, there amt another one. /
was mighty lonely over there, and that's
why left.
'Left?" repeated Bouton-
Eyes. Lit out" "
you're deserter, then?"
Gas full blowed and fresh one rs
you ever clapped eyes on, chuckled the
wretch. Il can give you few wrinkles
that ii open your eyes.
"Well, what are they?"
Patch lowered his voice to make his
words more impressive and confidential,
and then told of his discovery and Of
fered to guide Bouton and his men.
"But what if you are spy and want
to lead us to destructionT asked Bou-
ton, who in his heart felt that the
wretch was sincere in his villainy.
"Couldn't you shoot me down at once
if you seed was givin you aways"
Bouton believed the renegade and
was resolved to try his plan at once.
Two hours Of daylight remained, time
sufficient to win and to have an hour to
spare.
"One-haf Of the force will be suff-
cient, said Bouton. Get ready, men,
as call your names"
He was selecting his men when Black
Eagle sped in from the darkness aud