Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-09-15

Clyde, did 1 not say last night that
things were ON the mend? / am not q
prophet, but I knew we could not be
beaten all the time.
"A hopeful man is better than a
prophet Of evil. Let me clasp thy hand,
my friend, for good words are next to
inspired words" said the Prophet, and
he took John Clyde's hand and shook 1t
heartily.
The captain then told him what they
had planned about Clara before he came
up or they had thought of seeing him.
And you planned right. but now it
must be changed somewhat" said the
Prophet Myself and the doctor will
60 on with the maiden to my retreat,
and when we have left her with friends
we will return with food, and mayhap
we may have more aid. / have called
for il, and il may be forthcoming in
time. Follow me on the trail Of the foe
and strike whenever he comes within
reach Of your arms ="
The Prophet drew the herders 10 one
side and talked to them for some time
in low tones, and. though they made no
audible reply, il was evident from the
way III which they nodded their heads
that they were agreeing with him. He
came back, leaped on his horse, and,
motioning 10 the doctor TO take a posi-
ton on the other side Of Clara, they
rode off without leave taking save u
wave Of the Prophets long arms.
THAT is his habit" said the captain
to Howard. The Prophet is strong in
welcoming, but his feelings will not
permit him To say farewell. "
The men cheerfully obcyed the cap
tain's order, and. leaping into the sad
die, started off "a find Bouton's trail.
There was no trouble in getting on the
track Of the outlaws. The hoofs Of the
cattle stolen from Kyle's valley were
yisible in every stretch Of earth. and
hey had cut into the moss covered
rocks like hieroglyphics.
II soon became evident that Bouton's
party had gone to their old camp, fact
that gave the captain not little ell
eouragemcnt. About noon they reached
tho encircling hills that command n
view Of the whole valley. They saw the
herds grazing by the river, the horses
staked near the fires. and could make
out the line that separated the Indians
from their allies
When Boutoa reached his camp,
which re did before daylight, he was
delighted 10 find large accession TO his
force. More than score Of white men
had como in from the south and a
many runaway Indians from the reser-
vations TO the north and east In addi-
ton 20 robbing stages and killing min
ers, Bouton's gang "did large business
in horses The organization at one
time numbered many hundreds Of men,
and its field extended from tho MisslS-
sippi Ia the Pacific and from the plains
of British Columbia TO the plateaus OF
old NJ, Tico.
The horse thieves were held together
by awful osths Of fidelity and still more
awful penalties for treason. Their
camps wero lodges, and one Of their
members could recognize ''pard' or
mako himself known wherever he went.
But tho great bond that held them to-
gcther was mutual protection for indi-
ridual gain. So perfect was this organ
lzation-and. no doubt, some Of its
branches still exist-that horses could
bc run through from Texas and sold in
Colorado or b. taken from Montana TO
Missouri without detection and with
the certainty of finding n market.
Bouton gave the prisoners into Font
Robb's charge, enjoining him to guard
them as he valued his life, and then
turned 10 talk TO the new arrivals His